Andronicus II & III 1325-1328 AD Byzantine Empire Gold Hyperpyron Coin 3.1g

The gold hyperpyron of Andronikos II and Andronikos III (1325–1328) was struck in Constantinople during their brief co-reign following a civil war. It features the Virgin Mary in prayer within city walls on the obverse and Christ blessing the kneeling emperors on the reverse, symbolizing divine sanction of their authority. These coins were scyphate (cup-shaped), hand-hammered, and heavily debased—about 50% gold (11–12 carats)—reflecting the empire’s severe fiscal decline. Typical weights range from 3.0–4.2 g, with irregular flans and weak strikes.

Issued in the empire’s twilight, this hyperpyron is among Byzantium’s last gold coins. Surviving examples are scarce (high rarity index) and often clipped or worn. Auction prices generally fall between $300–$600 for Very Fine specimens, with exceptional pieces fetching more. Its historical significance lies in marking the end of Byzantine gold coinage and the transition to a money-of-account system, making it a prized artifact for collectors and historians alike.