Ave!

Imitative Byzantine Follis, Alexius the First, Rare

Æ; 24mm/5.4gm     Unofficial (Bulgarian?) mint, ca. 1081-1118?

Prototype: Alexius I, 1081-1118, SBCV 1911

Con/ Good Fine  --

Obv/ IC - XC; Long cross.

Rev/ Bungled Greek legend that should read IhSuS / XRISTuS / bASILEu / bASILE (Greek: Jesus Christ King of Kings). Close but no cookie!

Ref/ Unpublished; none found in any resources!

Seller's Note/ Unofficial and imitative Byzantine coins include counterfeits as well as imitative types struck by the Vandals, Goths, Lombards, Sassanian Persians, Crusaders, Arabs, and Bulgarians.