International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

Numismatic data:
Probably that trade zone was attended by coins. The question is what kind 
of coins? Mainly Byzantine because they are first rate standard. The Russian coins did not come 
yet. We have a large list of Byzantine coins from the 10
th
– 11
th
centuries – stray finds and deposits 
from the territory of Lower Danube. At the same time there are circulated imitative Byzantine coins 
produced by Bulgarians for example.
In the second half of the 10
th
c. Bulgaria produced imitative coinage based on the Byzantine gold 
and copper coins. The gold issues are imitative solidus of the Byzantine emperors Basil I, Constantine 
VII and Romanus I. The copper are followed the specimens of Constantine VII and Romanus I.
During the 11
th
c. this practice is still preserved. Local mints produced by casting imitative 
folles which taking a big part in the coin circulation. The production is mainly issues of Anonymous 
Folles classes A1, A2, as well as coins of emperors from the 11
th
c. Also an imitations of miliaresion 
of emperor John I Tzimisces.

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In the second and third quarter of the 11
th
c. the amount of original and imitative coins in some 
Danubian fortresses including Dristra are increased. Thus give us a hint that they transformed into 
emporiums playing a special part in political and economical communication between Byzantium 
and barbarian world. It means that the coins did not come in a circulated medium. They have 
another task – to attend not the domestic market but mainly the cross-border. The question arise – 
whether the coins from that time are a true payment or they are a kind of value, a metal, to exchange 
for a standing obligation between the Empire and her neighbors.
Sigillographic data:
till now are known the seals of two kommerkiarios in the area of Lower 
Danube – Dristra and Preslavitsa. They were established after the c. 1000 when the Danube became 
a north imperial border.