Byzantine (1042-1055) histamenon Sear-1830
This specimen was lot 3529 in Sincona sale 3 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 1,000 CHF (about US$1,330 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CONSTANTINUS IX, 1042-1055 Mint of Constantinople Michael V had succeeded his uncle Michael IV as emperor. His first actions were to banish his uncle, John the Eunuch and to imprison the Empress Zoe in a nunnery. This led to the population’s demand for an ousting of the emperor and he was deposed, blinded and Zoe and Theodora ruled jointly for 7 weeks. Zoe then chose Constantinus as her third husband. He was interested in learning and the arts and less in statesmanship. In 1046 he had a first encounter with the Seljuk Turks in Armenia which resulted in a truce. Foolishly he then disbanded the Armenian forces at a time when they should have been strengthened. In 1054 the Great Schism between the churches of the West and East was caused when the Patriarch refused to adopt Western church practices. He was excommunicated by a Papal legation and he in turn excommunicated them. This rift was never to heal. In all, Constantinus IX did more damage to the state than many an emperor before him. Histamenon nomisma (solidus) 1042/1055. 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. No pellets in each cross arm of nimbus. Rev. +CWnST – LnTn – bLSILEЧS RM Crowned bust facing, wearing jewelled chlamys and holding sceptre in r. hand and globe cruciger in left. DOC 3. S. 1830. 4,38 g. About uncirculated. Ex Russo Sao Paulo."
- [1]Important Collection of Byzantine Coins: Auction 3, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
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