The First Curved Coins: Gold Hyperpyrons

[Mr.MonkeySwag96]

The first curved coin in history is the gold Hyperpyron. The Hyperpyrons were minted by the Eastern Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire is also known as the Byzantine Empire. The emperor Alexios Komnenos reformed the monetary system of the Eastern Roman Empire. Emperor Alexios Komnenos introduced a new gold coin called a Hyperpyron. The Hyperpyron contained 4.5 grams of gold. The Hyperpyrons were unique because they're curved coins. The Hyperpyrons were sometimes called "cup coins" because of their curved shape. The Hyperpyrons were minted using very thin planchets. In the 11th century, the Eastern Roman Empire was invaded by Islamic Turks. Emperor Alexios Kommenos asked the Pope for help against the Muslims. The Pope sent armies of knights to aid the Eastern Roman Empire.This was the start of the Crusades. Emperor Alexios Kommenos employed the knights as mercenaries. Its possible that the knights were paid with gold Hyperpyron coins.

I posted a video about Eastern Roman gold Hyperpyron coins:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1IM8lfL96o

[mhonzell]

The cupped coin started with Michael IV in 1034. They were only dished a small amount, but they were curved. Alexios I made them more cupped. Each leader was debasing the coins of gold (and later all coins) and was making the coins thinner. To allow them to have some strength against bending is the belief behind cupping the coins. But, there is a limit and the coins were cracking badly.

By the time of Alexios I, the coins were so bad, he decided to reset the system and introduced the gold hyperpyron.

[Mr.MonkeySwag96]

The cupped coin started with Michael IV in 1034. They were only dished a small amount, but they were curved. Alexios I made them more cupped. Each leader was debasing the coins of gold (and later all coins) and was making the coins thinner. To allow them to have some strength against bending is the belief behind cupping the coins. But, there is a limit and the coins were cracking badly.

By the time of Alexios I, the coins were so bad, he decided to reset the system and introduced the gold hyperpyron.

So basically the practice of minting cup shaped coins began in the Macedonian dynasty of Byzantium?

[mhonzell]

From Heritage, Wiki, and Coinweek:

A commoner from the Black Sea coast of Anatolia, Michael IV was the brother of John the Orphanotrophos (keeper of the state orphanage), a crafty eunuch who had gained a dominant position in the Byzantine court. Through John's influence, the handsome Michael was introduced to the Empress Zoe and became her lover. Upon the suspicious death of Zoe's husband, the elderly Emperor Romanus III, Michael married Zoe and was himself acclaimed as Emperor. Although an epileptic, he soon proved a strong ruler and a brave soldier, leading Byzantine armies to victory against the Arabs, Fatamids and Bulgarians. Sicily was partially reconquered and a favorable treaty signed with Fatamid Egypt. But the stress of office and military campaigns took a toll on his fragile health and Michael died after a too-brief reign of seven years in December 1041. In the realm of coinage, it was under Michael IV that the now familiar scyphate, or "cup-shaped" fabric was first employed for the gold histamenon nomisma. The reasons for its adoption are not well understood, but it became the standard model for Byzantine coinage for the next three and a half centuries.

[Paul]

:yourock: M