Heritage World Coin Auctions
CCE Signature Sale 3054 7-8 April 2017
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Constantine VIII (1025-1028). AV histamenon nomisma (26mm, 4.38 gm, 7h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄςhANTIhM, facing bust of Christ Pantocrator, with cruciform nimbus, annulets in upper quarters, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels cradled in left arm / +CωNSTANTIh bASILЄЧS ROM, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing square-pattern loros with jeweled collar, holding labarum in right hand and akakia in left. Sear 1815. DOC 1. Rare; a superb specimen with portraits of of exceptional artistry. The younger brother of Basil II, Constantine VIII had been kept in the background during his brother's long reign, for good reason. As decadent and pleasure-loving as Basil had been austere, Constantine did little of note during his brief sole reign except to begin dismantling the magnificent edifice his brother had created. The coins struck during his reign, however, are among the most handsome in the Byzantine series, with portraiture and overall numismatic artistry reaching a peak never attained again.
Estimate: 3500-4500 USD
Constantine VIII (1025-1028). AV histamenon nomisma (26mm, 4.38 gm, 7h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄςhANTIhM, facing bust of Christ Pantocrator, with cruciform nimbus, annulets in upper quarters, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels cradled in left arm / +CωNSTANTIh bASILЄЧS ROM, crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing square-pattern loros with jeweled collar, holding labarum in right hand and akakia in left. Sear 1815. DOC 1. Rare; a superb specimen with portraits of of exceptional artistry. The younger brother of Basil II, Constantine VIII had been kept in the background during his brother's long reign, for good reason. As decadent and pleasure-loving as Basil had been austere, Constantine did little of note during his brief sole reign except to begin dismantling the magnificent edifice his brother had created. The coins struck during his reign, however, are among the most handsome in the Byzantine series, with portraiture and overall numismatic artistry reaching a peak never attained again.
Estimate: 3500-4500 USD