TYPE Byzantine Empire, Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282-1328 AD), bronze trachy, Constantinople mint, class XVI DESCRIPTION . Obv: Large cross with saltire at intersection, four B facing inwards in each quarter Rev: Emperor and co-emperor Michael IX, each crowned in loros, jointly holding long cross, partial Greek legend REFERENCE: SB 2426, Ben 158, DO 618-21 GRADING: VF / AVF, mixed green patina, ragged edge, rare ORDER INFO: B2549, $115 The four "B"s quartering the cross is common in certain late Byzantine iconography but rarely found on coinage, and this design's intent and interpretation retain a dose of controversy and mystery. Assuming each of the four as Greek 'beta', it was tempting to view it as the "King of Kings" phrase of Christian scripture, among other readings. But it has also been interpreted as "briquets" or firesteels, and echoes of all these views are found in medieval Western heraldry spanning from the House of Burgundy to the Florentine banking family of Acciaiuolo; later, the modified firesteels came to be seen even as the Cyrillic letter "C" (= S), and as such formed the basis for the coat-of-arms of Serbia. However, the layout of these elements on the present type - inwards at 45 degree angles - markedly differs from the standard upright positioning, though more fitting for the circular flan restriction.