Watch List notes:

TMUTARAKAN (Kievan Rus'): Mstislav Volodimirovich Khorobry (the Brave), ca. 990-1024, AR miliaresion (1.90g), NM, ND (ca. 1000-1060), Zeno-8429 (this piece), imitating a Constantinople mint miliresion of Basil II Bulgaroktonos: two crowned busts facing, wearing loros and chlamys, respectively, each wearing crown with pendilia; between, long cross crosslet set on base with four steps // pseudo-legend in five lines, decorative ornaments above & below, gorgeous EF. Finest style, early issue, many of the "letters" resemble the Byzantine letters on the prototype miliaresion of Basil II. A similar example sold in CNG Auction 87, Lot 1947, for $4000 (December 2011).

Estimate: 900-1,100 USD