Nicephorus I, with Stauracius, 802-811. Solidus (Gold, 18.5 mm, 4.45 g, 6 h), Constantinople, 803-811. nICIFOROS bASILЄ' Crowned, bearded and facing bust of Nicephorus I, wearing chlamys and holding cross potent in his right hand and akakia in his left. Rev. STAVRACIS dЄSPO'X Crowned, beardless and facing bust of Stauracius, wearing chlamys and holding cross on globe in his right hand and akakia in his left. DOC 2c. SB 1604. A superb, sharp and strongly struck fresh solidus with traces of the original mint luster. Some very tiny scratches and pits, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
The quality of this solidus helps us spot some interesting details. On the reverse the X is clearly re-cut over a faintly seen Θ thus confirming the order of the issue attested in DOC.