TYPE Byzantine Empire, Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD), clipped pre-reform silver miliaresion, 0.51g DESCRIPTION . Obv: The Virgin orans facing, Greek legend [MR-ThU, +ThKE VOITHEI TO SO DOUL]O Rev: Emperor facing in crown and military attire (cuirass, tunic, cloak and high boots), holding long cross and sheath with sword, circular Greek legend [+ALEXIO DESPOT TO KOM]N (image double resolution) REFERENCE: SB 1897 GRADING: F / AVF, clipped, toned, very rare ORDER INFO: B1695, $215 A very rare and prized silver issued just prior to the momentous reform of 1092, with the somewhat unusual "emperor-soldier" iconography (possibly related ot the 1091 campaign against the Patzinaks). This severely clipped specimen was apparently part of a hoard from the Balkans that included mostly Palaiologan bronzes. This is interesting in its own right, as it indicates a remarkable longevity for this piece, which remained in circulation, through successive rounds of "downsizing" (which carefully circumscribed the emperor's figure on reverse), probably at par with billon trachea and later essentially token coinage; it thus avoided the fate of other pre-reform silver that was presumably recoined early on. Despite heavy clipping, it unmistakably identifies this type, and serves as important evidence of some trends in monetary economy at the Empire's semi-periphery.