The one side, which is convex, depicts Christ in the type of Pantokrator (the Almighty) with the inscriprions “ΙС-ΧС” (Jesus Christ) right and left and around the perimeter “Lord help”. In the other side, which is concave, the emperor is depicted full length with imperial vestments, holding globus cruciger and being crowned by the Virgin. On the left in a vertical arrangement reads “John Despot” and “ΜΡ VΘ” (Μother of God). The coin was struck at the Constantinople mint.