Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Histamenon Nomisma (21mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 1054-1055. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, holding globus cruciger and sword; two stars flanking crown. DOC 4b; Füeg II 4.B.2; SB 1831. In NGC encapsulation 6558872-004, graded MS★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Rare.
From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 723.
The meaning of the stars that appear on these rare histamena flanking the imperial bust has been a matter of much discussion. Hendy (DOC III, p. 734) suggested that they represented the 1054 appearance of SN 1054, a celestial event that was widely seen and recorded by Chinese, Japanese, and Arab astronomers, as well as the Mimbres and Anasazi in North America. Visible even in daylight from when it first appeared in the constellation of Taurus on 4 July 1054 until it faded in April 1056, Grierson (DOC III, p. 736) concluded that the supernova could not have escaped the notice of anyone interested in astronomy and "may conceivably have found its way onto the coins [since] the dates, at all events, seem to agree."
From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 723.
The meaning of the stars that appear on these rare histamena flanking the imperial bust has been a matter of much discussion. Hendy (DOC III, p. 734) suggested that they represented the 1054 appearance of SN 1054, a celestial event that was widely seen and recorded by Chinese, Japanese, and Arab astronomers, as well as the Mimbres and Anasazi in North America. Visible even in daylight from when it first appeared in the constellation of Taurus on 4 July 1054 until it faded in April 1056, Grierson (DOC III, p. 736) concluded that the supernova could not have escaped the notice of anyone interested in astronomy and "may conceivably have found its way onto the coins [since] the dates, at all events, seem to agree."