SINCONA AG
Auction 37 16 May 2017
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CONSTANTINUS IX MONOMACHUS, 1042-1055
Mint of Constantinopolis
Histamenon 1054/1055.
Obv. +IHS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTINM, facing bust of Christ, nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in left.
Rev. + CWNSTANTNOS bASILЄS RM, bust facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding sword and globus cruciger; in upper left and right upper fields, stars.
Sear 1831.DOC 4a.
4.38 g. Scyphate form. Uncirculated.
Ex Auction Bank Leu36. Zurich, May 1985. Lot 404.
For the first time in Byzantine numismatics, the emperor is depicted with an attribute of war – the sword hilt. The change in subject is perhaps the result of the successful quelling of the rebellion led by Leon Tornikios, who revolted in September 1047 against Constantinus IX and was defeated in December of the same year by imperial troops. See L.-M. Hans, Der Kaiser mit dem Schwert, JNG 33 (1983) 58f. On the other hand the fineness stands against such an early emission (see DOC p. 735). The two stars probably allude to the supernova that appeared on July, 1054 in the constellation of Taurus and was visible until April 1056. This phenomenon must have had an immense impression on the contemporary population. The supernova was also recorded by Japanese and Chinese astronomers.
Mint of Constantinopolis
Histamenon 1054/1055.
Obv. +IHS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTINM, facing bust of Christ, nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in left.
Rev. + CWNSTANTNOS bASILЄS RM, bust facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding sword and globus cruciger; in upper left and right upper fields, stars.
Sear 1831.DOC 4a.
4.38 g. Scyphate form. Uncirculated.
Ex Auction Bank Leu36. Zurich, May 1985. Lot 404.
For the first time in Byzantine numismatics, the emperor is depicted with an attribute of war – the sword hilt. The change in subject is perhaps the result of the successful quelling of the rebellion led by Leon Tornikios, who revolted in September 1047 against Constantinus IX and was defeated in December of the same year by imperial troops. See L.-M. Hans, Der Kaiser mit dem Schwert, JNG 33 (1983) 58f. On the other hand the fineness stands against such an early emission (see DOC p. 735). The two stars probably allude to the supernova that appeared on July, 1054 in the constellation of Taurus and was visible until April 1056. This phenomenon must have had an immense impression on the contemporary population. The supernova was also recorded by Japanese and Chinese astronomers.