Watch List notes:

Nicephorus I, with Stauracius, 802-811. Solidus (Gold, 23 mm, 4.38 g, 6 h), Constantinople, 803-811. •nICIFOROS bASILE' 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 dESPO'E Crowned, beardless and facing bust of Stauracius, wearing chlamys and holding cross on globe in his right hand and akakia in his left. DOC 2a. Füeg 2.B.2. SB 1604. Very rare in this state, beautifully and sharply struck on a very broad flan, with some original lustre. A spectacular example. Good extremely fine.

Nicephorus I was an aristocrat from Cilicia who was appointed minister of finance by the empress Irene. He became a strong but controversial emperor who lost a number of battles against the Arabs (none decisive) and then went on to attack Bulgaria. He was quite successful but when his army was returning with its booty it was ambushed in the mountains and destroyed; Nicephorus was killed and the Bulgar Khan Krum had his skull made into a cup. His son Stauracius, who appears on the reverse, died a few months later from the wounds he received in this battle.