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January Signature Sale 3089 21-22 Jan 2021
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Basil II Bulgaroctonos (AD 976-1025), with Constantine VIII. AV histamenon nomisma (21mm, 4.35 gm, 6h). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5. Constantinople, AD 1005-1025. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTInM, bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger with single pellet in each arm, pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in left / +bASIL C COhSTAhT Ib R, half-length facing busts of Basil II (on left) wearing loros and Constantine VIII (on right) wearing chlamys pinned on right shoulder, both wearing crown with pendilia terminating in trefoils, jointly holding patriarchal cross with X on shaft. Sear -, cf. 1806 (Constantine VII wears V-shaped overgarment ornamented with pearls). DOC -, cf. 15 (same). Well struck and attractive example of this rare variety.
Introduced by Nicephorus II, the gold tetarteron nomisma seems to have been the equivalent of the old "lightweight solidus" and was perhaps intended to facilitate trade with the Islamic powers, which utilized a gold dinar somewhat lighter than the traditional solidus. The tetarteron retained its small, compact fabric while the solidus became larger and thinner, eventually acquiring a new name as the histamenon nomisma.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-basil-ii-bulgaroctonos-ad-976-1025-with-constantine-viii-av-histamenon-nomisma-21mm-435-gm-6h-ngc/a/3089-32252.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-2000 USD
Basil II Bulgaroctonos (AD 976-1025), with Constantine VIII. AV histamenon nomisma (21mm, 4.35 gm, 6h). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5. Constantinople, AD 1005-1025. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTInM, bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger with single pellet in each arm, pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in left / +bASIL C COhSTAhT Ib R, half-length facing busts of Basil II (on left) wearing loros and Constantine VIII (on right) wearing chlamys pinned on right shoulder, both wearing crown with pendilia terminating in trefoils, jointly holding patriarchal cross with X on shaft. Sear -, cf. 1806 (Constantine VII wears V-shaped overgarment ornamented with pearls). DOC -, cf. 15 (same). Well struck and attractive example of this rare variety.
Introduced by Nicephorus II, the gold tetarteron nomisma seems to have been the equivalent of the old "lightweight solidus" and was perhaps intended to facilitate trade with the Islamic powers, which utilized a gold dinar somewhat lighter than the traditional solidus. The tetarteron retained its small, compact fabric while the solidus became larger and thinner, eventually acquiring a new name as the histamenon nomisma.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-basil-ii-bulgaroctonos-ad-976-1025-with-constantine-viii-av-histamenon-nomisma-21mm-435-gm-6h-ngc/a/3089-32252.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-2000 USD