The softer metal enabled much better transfer of detail. The shape could help distinguish between the two classes. Some collectors refer to these cup shaped coins as 'Scyphates' but I am now told that this term is inappropriate so I have eliminated it from this page. 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. As stated on earlier pages, I am not a student of Byzantine or other medieval coins. This page is posted to introduce the beginner to the fact that there are coins with Christ portraits.