TYPE Byzantine Empire, Alexios III Komnenos-Angelos (1195-1203 AD), gilt billon? "hyperpyron", 3.12g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Christ facing on dais, IC - XC to sides, Greek +KE VOITHEI ('God help') around Rev: Alexios (left) and St. Constantine (nimbate), each wearing crown, divitision and loros, Alexios holding akakia, and jointly holding patr. cross, Greek legend [...] ESPO KON [...] REFERENCE: cf. SB 2008 GRADING: F+ / VF, toned good billon w/ some gold in recesses, thin bit wavy flat fabric, unusual ORDER INFO: B1868, $140 Strange in that the design corresponds only to the Constantinopolitan hyperpyra of Alexios III, and yet the metal composition is entirely off. Not a classical fourree (unofficial or not, a precious metal plated contemporaneous fake), and while the intrinsic value here is outside even the realm of serious late Byzantine debasements (certainly those recorded for this issue), the visible traces of gold still indicate some connection with the hyperpyron denomination.