Unique Byzantine Coin Discovered in Bulgaria's Balchik

Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed a medieval coin depicting Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (910s-969) in Balchik, by the northern Black Sea coast, local media report.

Next to the emperor is Virgin Mary.

The golden coin has been discovered in a state that would allow it to be exhibited "immediately", news website dnes.bg quotes the head of the Balchik museum as saying.

The rare find was unearthed during a summer training of Archaeology students from the Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski which took place at the Horizont fortress.

Horizont ("Horizon") is the biggest 6th century fortress known to have been built on Bulgarian land.