The beginning of the Byzantine Empire was the establishment of Constantinople in 330 AD, when Constantine the Great founded the city as the center of the Christian world. He and subsequent emperors made Constantinople into one of the most elaborate and civilized cities in the world. Until the Fourth Crusade, Constantinople enjoyed 874 years of growth and stability. Few cities in history have lasted as long without being overrun by an invading army. The word "Byzantine" was not used until well in the 15th century to describe the eastern part of the Roman empire. The monetary history was probably the most important aspect of the success of the empire. Constantine the Great introduced several monetary reforms with one of them being the creation of the gold Solidus at 72 to the Roman pound. This standard lasted throughout with only periodic debasement in economically stressed parts of the empire or during periods of extremely weak leadership.

Main Roman Coin Book and Other References:

RIC = Mattingly, Harold    The Roman Imperial Coinage
BMC = Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum
RSC = Seaby, H A    Roman Silver Coinage
RCV = Sear, David R    Roman Coins and Their Values
Cr = Crawford, Michael    The Roman Republican Coinage
SB = Sear, David R    Byzantine Coins and Their Values
S = Coins of England and the United Kingdom
WW = Wildwinds.com (reference & attribution site)