Byzantine – Thessalonica, Andronikos Palaiologos as Despot (1408–1423). Billon Trachy.

Obv: ANΔPONIKOC ΔECΠOTHC, despot standing facing, wearing stemma and loros, holding labarum-scepter and globus cruciger.

Rev: Patriarchal cross on base and two steps, within dotted border.

A rare late Palaiologan issue from the final years of Byzantine Thessalonica. Andronikos, third son of Manuel II, was made despot at age eight and ruled the city until he handed it to Venice in 1423 to protect it from the Ottomans. His small billon trachea are seldom offered – this example from the December 2022 Obolos sale retains a bold portrait and full cross, with the characteristic dark patina of Thessalonican finds.

Reference: cf. Bendall, Thessalonica; for the historical context see Andronikos as "last Byzantine governor of Thessalonica with the title of despot, from 1408 to 1423."