hyperpyron

English

Hyperpyron of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1143–1180), showing its typical scyphate (cup-shaped) form

Etymology

From Byzantine Greek ὑπέρπυρον (hupérpuron). Doublet of perper and perpera.

Noun

hyperpyron (plural hyperpyra or hyperpyrons)

1. (historical) A Byzantine coin in use during the late Middle Ages, replacing the solidus as the Byzantine Empire’s gold coinage.
   • 1901, John Hackett, A History of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus from the Coming of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas to the Commencement of the British Occupation (A. D. 45-A. D. 1878) […], London: Methuen & Co., […], page 367:

     In the Ritual Ordinance of the monk Nilos mention is made of a donation of twelve hyperpyra to the monastery of Machæra by the Emperor Isaac (II.) Angelos, […]

   • 1998, Archaeological Novelties, pages 42–46:

     Fig. 1. Hyperpyrons of Andronicus II Palaeologus with Michael IX (1 – 4). […] It is established for sure that the „old hyperpyrons of 13 ½ carats with three saints“ mentioned there are in fact hyperpyrons of Andronicus II with Michael IX (Hendy 1969, 251 – 252). […] As it is recorded in the discussed notes, some later issues of hyperpyrons of Andronicus II with Michael IX must have obviously had gold contents lower than 13 carats. Pegolotti speaks of „new hyperpyrons of 11 ¾ carats with a rose and a star“ as well as of „hyperpyrons from Philadelphia of 12 carats“ (Pegolotti 1936, 289). […] When the sum was a small one, amounting to one or a few hyperpyrons, it was paid in cash without weighing the coins.

   • 1998, Minalo, page 31:

     Two hyperpyrons of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palacologus (1261-1282), from the collection of the Museum of History – Pazardjik.

   • 1998, Ή Βυζαντινη Μικρα Ασια, 6ος -12ος αι, page 121:

     It should be read as either 1191 or 1291 because of the mention of hyperpyrons, a coinage introduced only in the reign of Alexios I Komnenos.

   • 1999, Études balkaniques, pages 54–56:

     Port fees were set up – for cast anchor (alborazzo) of a big ship (nave grande) – 2 hyperpyrons and for a small ship (nave piccola) – 1 hyperpyron. […] A penalty of 100 000 hyperpyrons at the rate of exchange of Pera in case of violation of the contract was determined.

Translations

coin

• Ancient Greek: ὑπέρπυρον n (hupérpuron)
• Romanian: perper (ro) m

Further reading

• Hyperpyron on Wikipedia.Wikipedia