A Byzantine cup-shaped coin for those who can't wait for the 2019 US Apollo coins

WillieBoyd2

The Byzantine Empire made these cup-shaped gold coins called Hyperpyrons from AD 1092 to 1352.

These coins circulated far outside the Empire, from England to the Crusader states, where they were known as "Bezants".

John II Gold Hyperpyron Christ

Size: 27 x 25 mm
Weight: 4.18 gm
Catalog: Sear 1940
Struck: AD 1122-1137, Constantinople

Obverse:
Christ on throne holding book of gospels
ΚΕΡΟ ΙϹ ΧϹ ΗΘΕΙ
ΚΕΡΟ is Κυριος, Kyrios or Kyrie (Lord)
ΙϹ ΧϹ is an abbreviation for Ιησους Χριστος or Jesus Christ
ΗΘΕΙ is help or aid

Reverse:
Emperor left being crowned by Mary right
Left: ΙΩ ΔΕϹΠΟΤΗϹ Top: (Unknown) Right: ΜΘ
ΙΩ is Ιωαννης, Ioannis or John
ΔΕϹΠΟΤΗϹ is Despotes or Lord, Master
ΜΘ is Μητηρ Θεου, Meter Theou, or Mother of God