When did Byzantine coinage begin?

Byzantine coinage is generally considered to have begun with the reign of the Anastasius (A.D. 491-518) due to his monumental reform of the bronze coinage in A.D. 498. Prior to that, the only bronzes in circulation were small, crude ‘nummi’ from the early years of Anastasius’s reign (and from the lingering issues of his recent predecessors).

What type of coins were used in the Byzantine Empire?

Coins of the early Byzantine empire were gold, silver, or copper. Coin to the upper right: A common copper coin of Justinian (527-565), struck 529-531. The large "M" (M = 40 in Greek) on the reverse indicates the denomination, 40 nummi, which we call a "follis." It is large, as large as a US half-dollar. 31-28 mm. 13.52 grams.

Are Byzantine coins worth collecting?

Collectors of ancient coins enjoy the challenge of building sets of Byzantine denominations. The Byzantine Empire (A.D. 491 to 1453) produced a tremendous number of coins during its near-millennium of existence. A large percentage of these coins were struck in copper, often with denomination marks rendered in Greek or Latin.