Currencies/Byzantine Empire nummo
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Introduction
The Byzantine nummo is a historical term referring to the bronze nummus, the basic unit of small-denomination coinage used in the Byzantine Empire. The word nummo derives from Latin usage and is closely associated with the same monetary concept as the nummus.
History
The nummo emerged from the late Roman monetary tradition and became formally standardized during the monetary reform of 498 CE under Emperor Anastasius I. This reform reorganized bronze coinage to ensure reliable small change for daily transactions. In Byzantine usage, the nummo functioned as the base accounting unit for bronze currency, with higher denominations defined as fixed multiples. The term nummo appears in historical and scholarly contexts as a linguistic variant rather than a separate denomination.
Coins
Nummo coins were issued as small bronze coins, struck according to official Byzantine standards. Individual coins were very small in size, while larger bronze issues represented multiples of the nummo. Coins typically displayed value marks, imperial symbols, monograms, and mint marks, consistent with Byzantine minting practice.
Currency
Metal Bronze
Monetary system Non-decimal
Role Base unit of bronze coinage
Relationship Higher bronze denominations expressed as multiples of the nummo
Status Obsolete
Legacy
The Byzantine nummo reflects the foundation of Byzantine bronze currency and highlights the continuity between late Roman and Byzantine monetary systems. Its structured use supported everyday commerce across the empire for centuries.