Byzantine Bronze Follis of Nicephorus I & Stauracius — Byzantium's Last Stand in Sicily

Own a Coin from Byzantium's Last Stand in Sicily

A genuine Byzantine bronze follis struck at Syracuse, Sicily, during the reign of Nicephorus I and his son Stauracius, from the final generations of Byzantine rule in the western Mediterranean.

$49.50

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
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📷 You will receive the exact coin pictured.

🏛 Struck at the Syracuse Mint, Byzantium's great western stronghold
👑 Features the co-emperors Nicephorus I and Stauracius together
🤲 A rare bronze from the final era of Byzantine Sicily

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

This authentic bronze follis was struck during the reign of Nicephorus I (AD 802–811) and his son Stauracius, at the Byzantine mint of Syracuse on the island of Sicily.

Nicephorus came to power after overthrowing Empress Irene, who had shocked the medieval world by ordering the blinding of her own son, Constantine VI, so she could rule as empress in her own right. To strengthen his own claim to the throne, Nicephorus immediately elevated his son Stauracius as co-emperor, presenting the empire with a new imperial dynasty.

This coin reflects that effort. Its paired portraits proclaimed continuity, legitimacy, and stability during a time when the Byzantine Empire faced growing threats both within and beyond its borders.

Their reign ended dramatically. In AD 811, Nicephorus led an army against Khan Krum of Bulgaria but suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Pliska. He became the first Byzantine emperor in more than four centuries to die fighting a foreign enemy. According to medieval chroniclers, Krum later had the emperor's skull lined with silver and fashioned into a ceremonial drinking cup. Stauracius survived the battle but was gravely wounded and ruled for only a few months before dying from his injuries.

This coin was minted at Syracuse, the empire's most important city in Sicily and one of Byzantium's principal naval and commercial centers in the western Mediterranean. For centuries, Syracuse served as the empire's western gateway, protecting trade routes and projecting imperial authority across the region.

Yet Byzantine control of Sicily was nearing its end. During the decades after this coin was struck, Arab forces steadily conquered the island, bringing centuries of Byzantine rule to a close. Coins like this represent some of the last issues produced while Sicily remained an important province of the medieval Roman Empire.

More than twelve centuries later, this follis survives as a tangible reminder of Byzantium's struggle to preserve its western frontier during one of the empire's most turbulent eras.

Perfect For

• Collectors of Byzantine coinage
• Medieval history enthusiasts
• Collectors of Sicilian and provincial mint coins
• Students of Byzantine military and political history
• Anyone looking for a unique and historically significant ancient coin

What You'll Receive

• The exact Byzantine bronze follis pictured
• Civilization: Byzantine Empire
• Emperors: Nicephorus I and Stauracius (AD 802–811)
• Mint: Syracuse, Sicily
• Century: 9th Century AD
• Denomination: AE Follis
• Guaranteed authentic

Continue the Story

Byzantine coins tell the story of an empire that preserved Roman traditions for more than a thousand years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Provincial issues from mints such as Syracuse offer a fascinating glimpse into the empire's distant frontiers and the rulers who fought to preserve them.

Explore our other Byzantine coins to discover the emperors, cities, and events that shaped the medieval Roman Empire.

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
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