CLASSICAL NUMISMATIC GROUP ihißäcand'Mad'BidSaie
S A L E XXVIII
582. ALEXIUS I. 1081-1118 AD. Pre-Reform AR Histamenon (3.78 gm). Thessalonica. 1081-1092 AD. +KE R© ALEE, facing bust of Christ / ·Δ Μ Τ I AEC Π Τ Τ Η in columns, St. Demetrius and Alexius standing, holding patriarchal cross between them. SB 1905; Hendy pLl, 10-11. Toned good VF, flan flaw, which appears to be a hole plugged before striking. ($350)
583. ALEXIUS 1.1081-1118 AD. Pre-Reform AR Histamenon (3.82 gm). Thessalonica. 1081-1092 AD. +KE R© ALEE, facing bust of Christ / ·Δ Μ Τ I AEC Π Τ Τ Η in columns, St. Demetrius and Alexius standing, holding patriarchal cross between them. SB 1905; Hendy pl. 1,10-11. Toned good VF, ragged edge. ($350) ExMüller 58,101459.
584. ALEXIUS I. 1081-1118 AD. Pre-Reform AR Tetarteron (3.68 gm). Thessalonica. 1081-1092 AD. +MH ©V, facing bust of Mary or ans, medallion of infant Christ in front / + AAEXIW AEC ΠΟΤ ־TW Κ, crowned facing bust, holding sceptre and globus cmcigen SB 1906; Hendy pl.2,6-9. Toned EF, good metal and fine style. ($400) Ex Hess 252, lot 368. One person who viewed this coin commented "it's loo nice to be Byzantine" !
D e c e m b e r 8,1 9 9 3
586. ALEXIUS 1.1081 -1118 AD. Post-Reform AV Hyperpyron (4.22 gm). Constantinople. 1092-1118 AD. +KERO ΗΘΕΙ, Christ enthroned / A AE ZIW AEC ΠΟ Τ TW KO ΜΝΗ NW, Alexius Standing, holding labarum and globus cmciger, normal jewelling on chlamys. SB 1912; Hendy pL3,4. VF, light graffiti. ($200) After centuries of stability, the standard coin of the empire, the solidus, began a rapid decline in the 10th century. Although the histamenon was at first close to the old standard ( about 4.45 grams of nearly pure gold), by the reign of Alexius both histamenon and tetarteron were barely 30% pure gold. In a complete revision of the monetary system, Alexius introduced a gold hyperpyron of about 20 carats and slightly lighter in weight, an electrum trachy, a billon trachy to replace the miliaresion, and a copper tetarteron for the old follis. It was a decisive break with the monetary system that was a joint legacy of Constantine and Anastasius.
AV 587. ALEXIUS 1.1081-1118 AD. Post-Reform AV Hyperpyron (4.32 gm). Thessalonica. 1092-1118 AD. +KEROH© AAEXIW, Christ enthroned/A AE ΖIW AEC ΠΟ Τ TW KO ΜΝΗ Ν W, Alexius Standing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, normal jewelling on chlamys. SB 1925; Hendy pL5,5-6. Good VE ($500)
AR ALEXIUS 1.1081 -1118 AD. Lot of three EL and A R EL Histamenon (4.32 gm). Constantinople. Christ enthroned / Bust of Alexius, holding sceptre and globus cruciger. SB 1893; Hendy p l l , 1-4.//AR Histamenon (4.29 gm). Christ enthroned / Bust of Alexius, holding sceptre and globus craciger. SB 1894; Hendy pl.l, 5-8. // Post-Reform AV Hyperpyron (4.31 gm). Christ enthroned / Alexius standing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, enlarged jewelling on chlamys. SB 1912; Hendy pL3,8. Average VF, the first with flan cracks, the last holed and plugged 3 pieces. ($300)
588. ALEXIUS 1.1081-1118 AD. Post-Reform AV Hyperpyron (4.38 gm). Thessalonica? 1092-1118 AD. +KERO ΗΘΕΙ, Christ enthroned / A AE ZIW AEC ΠΟ ΤΗ TW KO ΜΝΗ NW, Alexius standing, holding labarum and globus cmciger, enlarged jewelling on chlamys. SB-; Hendy pL5,9-10. Good VF. ($300) The attribution to Thessalonica is not conclusive, but is based on hoard evidence and certain characteristics similar to other issues ofthat mint, such as the large head of the emperor and tall cross on the globus he carries.