Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
2161. MICHAEL VII. 1071-1078 AD. JE Follis (5.75 gm). Constantinople mint. Bust of Christ facing / Bust facing, holding labarum and globus-cruciger. DOC III 14; SB 1878. Good VF, brown patina, porous and possibly overstruck. ($150)
2155. CONSTANTINE VII & ZOE. 913-919 AD. JE Follis (6.65 gm). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing busts of Constantine and Zoe, holding labarum between them / Legend in five lines. DOC III 22; SB 1758. Good VF, dark green patina. Exceptional for issue. ($250)
Extremely Rare Alexius I Electrum Histamenon
2156. JOHN I. 969-976 AD. AV Histamenon (4.03 gm). Constantinople mint. Nimbate bust of Christ / The Virgin crowns John, who holds patriarchal cross; Manus Dei above. DOC III 3; SB 1785. Good VF, clipped. _ ($500)
2162. ALEXIUS I. 1081-1118 AD. Pre-Reform EL Histamenon (4.34 gm). Struck circa 1081-1092 AD. Thessalonica mint. Bust of Christ facing / St. Demetrius and Alexius standing facing, holding labarum between them. Hendy pl. 1,9; SB 1904. Good VF. Extremely rare and unpriced in Sear. ($2000)
2157. R O M A N U S III. 1028-1034 AD. AV Histamenon (4.41 gm). Constantinople mint. Christ enthroned facing / Mary, nimbate, crowning Romanus standing facing, holding globus cruciger. DOC III 1; SB 1819. Choice EF, small scratch on Mary's head. ($300)
2158. CONSTANTINE IX. 1042-1055 AD. AR Miliaresion (2.10 gm). Constantinople mint. Mary, orans, standing on footstool / Constantine standing, in military uniform, holding long cross and scabbard. DOC III 7; SB 1834. Toned VF, edge chipping. Rare. ($300)
2163. ALEXIUS I. 1081-1118 AD. Post-Reform AV Hyperpyron (4.37 gm). Struck 1092-1118 AD. Constantinople mint. Christ enthroned / Alexius standing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; enormous jewelling on chlamys. Hendy pi. 4, 3-5; SB 1913. VF. ($300) After centuries of stability the solidus or histamenon, standard coin of the empire, began a rapid decline in the 10th century. By the reign of Alexius the histamenon and the tetarteron Itad fallen in fineness from nearly pure gold to a 30% alloy. In a complete revision of the monetary system, Alexius introduced a gold hyperpyron ("highly refined") of about 20 carats, an electrum trachy to replace the miliaresion, and a copper tetarteron to replace the follis. It was a decisive break with the monetary system that was a joint legacy of Constantine and Anastasius.
2159. ISAAC I. 1057-1059 AD. AV Histamenon (4.36 gm). Constantinople mint. Christ enthroned / Isaac standing facing, wearing military uniform, holding drawn sword. DOC III 2; SB 1843. EF. ($500)
2164. ALEXIUS I. 1081-1118 AD. AV Hyperpyron (4.30 gm). Thessalonica mint. Christ enthroned facing / Alexius standing facing, holding labarum and globus-cruciger; Manus Dei above. Hendy pi. 4,610; SB 1924. Good VF. ($400)
2160. ROMANUS IV. 1068-1071 AD. AV Tetarteron Nomisma (4.06 gm). Bust of the Virgin facing, holding nimbate head of infant Christ / Facing busts of Romanus and Eudocia, holding between them a globus surmounted by tall cross. DOC III 3; SB 1862. Nice VF. ($600) 217