He was deposed in England by Edward IV in 1461, re-instated in 1470, and deposed again in 1471. He married Margaret of Anjou and they had one son. Description, with thanks, from Alexander Basok and David Tranbarger. Christ is shown in the standard pose with halo and book but the style has become extremely formal being rendered in as few as possible lines. The bust of the Emperor on the reverse is surrounded by a double ring of legend.
Specimens showing the entire legend clearly struck are quite scarce.
Our example is a bit above average in this regard and, at least, shows the name IWAN at 1 o'clock on the outer ring. Following John's death, his brother Constantine XI became the last Byzantine Emperor. The very rare coins of Constantine are very similar but even more crude than this. Harlan Berk provides a breif history of Constantine XI and commentary on his coinage . For a larger image click here AR double gros vierlander, 28mm.