Nomos AG
obolos 19 8 May 2021
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Constantine X Ducas, 1059-1067. 1/3 Miliaresion (Silver, 9 mm, 0.69 g, 6 h). Nimbate bust of the Virgin, orans, wearing pallium and maphorium. Rev. ΘΚΕ R, Θ,/ ΚωΝ ΔΕC/ • /ΠΟΤΗΤω / ΔΟVΚΑ / ••• in four lines. DOC 7a. SB 1852A (listed as extremely rare and without pricing). Very rare, one of less than half a dozen examples known. Well-centered and well-struck, lightly toned and with earthen highlights. Pierced, as usual, and with some minor marks, otherwise, very fine.
All the known surviving examples of the third miliaresia of Constantine X are pierced, which clearly shows that they were considered donatives and then used as religious amulets. There are, in fact, two varieties of this type: the first, DOC 7a, as this, includes the family name, Douka, while the second, DOC 7b, lacks it. Another interesting difference between DOC 7 a and b is that while the cloak (maphorion) ends going around the Virgin's neck go to the right on this type (7a), on the other, and on all other representations of the Virgin on the coinage of Constantine X, they go to the left.
All the known surviving examples of the third miliaresia of Constantine X are pierced, which clearly shows that they were considered donatives and then used as religious amulets. There are, in fact, two varieties of this type: the first, DOC 7a, as this, includes the family name, Douka, while the second, DOC 7b, lacks it. Another interesting difference between DOC 7 a and b is that while the cloak (maphorion) ends going around the Virgin's neck go to the right on this type (7a), on the other, and on all other representations of the Virgin on the coinage of Constantine X, they go to the left.