Alexey O. Shevtsov
The State Historical Museum, Moscow (ao.shevtsov@gmail.com)

Keywords: Byzantine numismatics, medieval Rus, Gnezdovo, coin finds, Theophilus’ folles.

The paper deals with folles, copper coins of the Byzantine emperor Theophilus predominating in circula­tion of the empire in the second third of the 9th century AD, found in the territory of the Gnezdovo ar­chaeological complex. An analysis of their chronological distribution enabled the author to trace an early ‘wave’ of the coming of folles to the site probably related to either diplomatic or military contacts of Rus and Byzantium in the 9th century AD. The data acquired in the course of the study may modify traditional views not only on the date of the ‘early Gnezdovo’ but on the role of this site in the formation of the Old Rus state as well.