Stela Doncheva, Zhenya Zhekova. Production of Imitative Byzantine Follеs in the First Bulgarian Kingdom
Category: Medieval Numismatics
Language: English

   The subject of the present monograph are imitations of copper Byzantine coins folles from the 10th century found in production centers for artistic metal from the age of the Early Medieval Bulgarian state. This book’s work unites the efforts of the researchers of these sites, as well as of the numismatists working on the subject of imitative coinage in the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the coins were found in a situated environment, dated according to the age and space. Along with them, both artifacts from the same chronological period and original Byzantine issues were found. All coins were subjected to X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis together with objects produced at the studied workshops, proving their common origin and place of production. Undoubtedly, the main initiator of this production was the Preslav ruler’s court, as we can judge from the documented molybdobullae found in the area of the three centers. The Bulgarian imitative coinage of this period is a reflection not only of the economic condition of the Bulgarian medieval state and its need for monetary resources, but also an expression of its political stability and the self-confidence of the Bulgarian rulers in the tenth century.

Table of contents

Introduction

Foreword

1. Overview of studies

Imitative coinage in Medieval Bulgaria

The production centers near Novosel, Zlatar and Nadarevo

Imitation and counterfeit: Definition and concept

2. State of coin circulation in the period of the First Bulgarian Kingdom

Information from the collective coin finds

Collective finds with date of hiding 680/681

Collective finds with date of hiding at the beginning of the 8th century

Collective finds with date of hiding 811

Collective finds with date of hiding 968-971

Information from the single coin finds

Information from the seals

3. Byzantine coinage during the 9th-10th centurires

Coinage during the Macedonian Dynasty

The coinage of Emperor Basil I the Macedonian (967-866)

The coinage of Emperor Leo IV the Wise (886-912)

The coinage of Emperor Alexander (912-913)

The coinage of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogentius (913-959)

The coinage of Emperor Romamnus I Lekapenus (920-944)

4. Findings of imitative Byzantine follis from Bulgarian lands. Typology and classification, iconographic analysis

Coins from production center near Novosel

Coins from production center near Zlatar

Coins from production center near Nadarevo

Typology and classification, iconographic analysis

The coins of Emperor Leo IV the Wise (886-912)

The coins of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogentius (913-959)

The coins of Emperor Romamnus I Lekapenus (920-944)

5. Seals and lead imprints from the production centers near Novosel, Zlatar and Nadarevo

Seals from the region of Novosel

Seals from the region of Nadarevo

A lead imprint from the region of Zlatar

6. Elemental composition of coins and belt set ornaments found at the production centers at Novosel and Zlatar

Introduction

Description of statistical techniques

Objects of analysis

1. Elemental analysis of the coins found at the production center at Novosel, Shumen Municipality

1.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

1.2. Elemental relationship: Rank-correlations analyses

1.3. Summary of the composition results

2. Elemental analysis of belt set ornaments found at the production center near Novosel, Shumen Municipality

2.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

2.2. Elemental relationship: Rank-correlations analyses

2.3. Summary of the composition results

3. Elemental analysis of the coins found at the production center near Zlatar, Preslav Municipality

3.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

3.2. Elemental relationship: Rank-correlations analyses

3.3. Summary of the composition results

4. Elemental analysis of belt set ornament found at the production center near Zlatar, Preslav Municipality

4.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

4.2. Elemental relationship: Rank-correlations analyses

4.3. Summary of the composition results

Conclusions

7. Elemental composition of the collective treasure of imitative coins

Introduction

1. Elemental analysis of the coins in the treasire

1.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

1.2. Elemental relationships: Rank-correlations analyses

1.3. Summary of the composition results

2. Elemental analysis of belt set ornament found at the production center near Nadarevo, Targovishte Municipality

2.1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

2.2. Elemental relationships: Rank-correlations analyses

2.3. Summary of the composition results 

Conclusions

8. Elemental composition of original Byzantine coins

Introduction

1. Presentation and discussion of the XRF data

2. Elemental relationships: Rank-correlations analyses

3. Summary of the composition results

Conclusions

9. Technology of the production of imitative coins in the First Bulgarian Kingdom

Introduction

1. Metal casting practive

1.1. Technology fo production

1.2. Making of the casting forms

1.3. Production foundry ceramics

2. Sand and manufacturing waste products

Conclusions

Catalogue of the coins from the production centers near Novosel and Zlatar

Bibliography

List of abbreaviations

Производство на имитативни византийски фолиси в Първото българско царство

Appendices

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