Ancient Bronze Follis from Constantinople: Constantine VI & Empress Irene – Mother-Son Co-Rule (about 1,230 years ago)

Constantine VI & Irene AE Follis (AD 780-797) — Mother-Son Regency Icon

Bronze follis (19mm, 2.41g) from Constantine VI + Empress Irene — post-Iconoclast restoration celebrating joint rule before Irene's sole power seizure.

Facing Imperial Portraits

• Obverse: Crowned Constantine VI — youthful loros bust, globus cruciger (large staring eyes)

• Reverse: Crowned Empress Irene — mature loros bust, globus cruciger (rare female ruler depiction)

Technical Specifications

• Material: Copper-alloy bronze (olive-brown patina)

• Denomination: AE Follis

• Size: 19 mm diameter

• Weight: 2.41 grams

• References: Sear Byzantine 1593; DOC III 5; BMC Byzantine 1

• Mint: Constantinople

Iconoclasm Restoration Era

• Ended first Iconoclast controversy (Seventh Ecumenical Council 787)

• Irene restored sacred imagery after decades of destruction

• Rare depiction of reigning Byzantine empress

• Foreshadows Irene's blinding/deposition of her own son

Collector Masterpiece

Exceptional mother-son joint rule bronze. Icon restoration + female autocrat milestone.