Byzantine (1005-1025) histamenon Sear-1800
The first specimen was lot 3523 in Sincona sale 3 (Zurich, October 2011), where it sold for 1,900 CHF (about US$2,528 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "BASIL II BULGAROKTONOS, 976-1025 Mint of Constantinople With Constantinus VIII Histamenon nomisma (solidus) 1005/1025. Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄÇNANTInM Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing pallium and colobium, raising r. hand in benediction, Book of Gospels in l. hand. Rev. +bLSIL C COnSTLnT Ib R Crowned facing busts of Basil II in loros on l. and Constantinus VII in chlamys on r., together holding a long cross. DOC 6. S. 1800. 4,42 g. Attractive specimen, well centred and struck. About uncirculated. Ex Auction Harlan Berk Chicago. May 1, 1983. Lot 32." The second specimen was lot 29616 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $3,055. The catalog description[2] noted, "Basil II Bulgaroctonos (AD 976-1025), with Constantine VIII. AV histamenon nomisma (26 mm, 4.42 g, 7h axis). Constantinople, 1005-1025. + IhS XIS RЄX RЄΣNANTIhM, bust of Christ Pantocrator facing, wearing cruciform nimbus with crescents in upper quarters, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, and holding book of Gospels cradled in left arm / + bASIL Є COhStAhtIh R, crowned facing busts of Basil, bearded, wearing loros of square pattern and being crowned from above by manus Die, and Constantine, beardless, wearing jeweled chlamys pinned at right shoulder, holding long cross between them. Sear 1800. DOC 6a. Bold strike. NGC (photo-certificate) MS 5/5 - 5/5. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Stack's (New York, 22 February 1989), lot 74."
- [1]Important Collection of Byzantine Coins: Auction 3, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
- [2]Michaels, David, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Signature Auction 3035: Ancient Coins, Featuring the Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern and the Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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