Follis

The Follis (plural: Folles ) is a Roman coin, which was introduced around 294 in the context of monetary reforms of Diocletian. The coin 1/ 32 of a Roman pound ( Libra ), or about 10 grams, was minted from bronze and plated with a thin silver film. The name means Follis bag and probably goes back to an expression for a sealed bag, which in ancient times a certain number of coins contained and thus had a fixed value. However, the ancient name of the relevant Notional Amount has not been established, the term " Follis " came much later. In numismatics, the view is often argued that the ancient name of the currency " Nummus " was.

Upon introduction of the Follis had a value of 12.5 dc ( denarii communes, " Rechnungsdenare " ), in the currency reform of September 1 301, he was on 25 dc upgraded. Under Constantine I the Folles were again re-assessed, reduced and contained no more silver.

Flavius ​​Julius Constans replaced the Follis in the coinage reform of 346 by the Maiorina, a slightly alloyed with silver medium bronze.

To the Folles 498 were introduced in the currency reform of Anastasius again as a large bronze coin. In this time can be seen on the value side of the Folles a great My. This letter is in the Greek number font for the number 40 and indicates the value of a Follis 40 Nummi. The other common nominal are Halbfollis ( characterized by a large kappa), Viertelfolles ( characterized by a large Iota ) and Achtelfolles ( characterized by a large epsilon).

Halbfollis of Justinian I, Constantinople Opel 538/539