Byzantine Solidus from Egypt
Egypt
330–641
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$623.82
Based on Gold spot price ($4,790.835/oz) · 90.0% purity · 4.5g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Egypt |
| Years Minted | 330–641 |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4.5 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Depicts the bust of the reigning Byzantine emperor facing right, often with a diadem or helmet.
Reverse
Shows the emperor standing, holding a standard and a globe, or later designs featuring a cross.
History & Notable Facts
The most intriguing fact about the Byzantine solidus from Egypt is that it maintained an almost unchanged weight of about 4.5 grams and 24-karat gold purity for over three centuries, serving as a rock-solid unit of exchange amid the empire's chaos.
This coin was minted in Alexandria, Egypt's bustling capital, from around 330 to 641 AD, reflecting the region's role as a key grain supplier and trade hub for the Byzantine Empire. Designs typically featured the emperor's bust on one side and a cross or victory figure on the other, struck with dies that varied slightly by ruler. We know these solidi circulated widely, from Mediterranean ports to distant markets, but exact mintage figures are lost to time—perhaps burned in some ancient archive fire.
Gold sources for Egyptian issues might have included local mines in the Eastern Desert, though that's speculative. If you're handling one, note the subtle flan variations; they're not always perfect circles, thanks to the hammering process.
Collectors sometimes mistake these for Roman coins, given the continuity, but that's just lazy attribution.
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