My name is Sam Cowell and I am a late Byzantine numismatist with expertise ranging from the years 1204 to 1351 and encompassing the coinages of the Latin empire, the Thessalonican empire/despotate, the Nicaean empire, the Trapezuntine empire, and the restored Palaeologan empire.
Publications of mine include the “Classification of the Aspron AR Trachy Reverse Dies of Manuel I Megas Komnenos” and “Two Unpublished Palaeologan Torneses“. Visit the ’My Publications’ tab to see the full list. Some upcoming projects of mine a seminar titled “Reevaluating the Epirote Coinage of Michael II Komnenos Doukas”. Part of the Oxford Byzantine Studies “Epiros: The Other Western Rome” workshop, my slot is Saturday November 9th at 10:30 AM UK time! You can attend online via zoom. Find further details by clicking here!
Corpus Nummorum Byzantinorum Recentissimorum 1204-1461, Volume One update: the catalogue is approaching around 750 entries. I expect publication to be in 2025. Make sure to register for the mailing list in order that you receive all future updates for this exciting project!
In accordance with previous promises, this website will soon host the largest and most comprehensive late Byzantine database available either in print or online…and it will be completely free! Under the database tab, you will soon find every known coin type from all 13-16th century Byzantine emperors, despots, empires, and states. Hundreds of coins types not found in Sear, Dumbarton Oaks, or the Ashmolean museum will be incorporated here for the first time, many from my personal collection.
Thank you for looking at my website. If you have any inquiries, suggestions, or need help with any unidentified late Byzantine coins you may have, please reach out to me at sam@cowell.org. I am always happy to help.
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Credit for the wonderful color artwork of Byzantine emperors on the website belong to this talented Byzantine Youtuber. All numismatic line drawings are my own.