Happy New Year! Here’s my very first
Byzantine gold coin acquisition with detailed description. Please enjoy.
Romanus III Argyrus (12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 AD), Gold
Histamenon Nomisma,
DOC III-2 1d,
Morrisson BnF 43/Cp/AV/01,
Ratto 1972,
Sommer 43.2.2,
SBCV 1819,
Wroth BMC 2, EF,
weight 4.45g, maximum
diameter 25.0mm,
die axis 180°,
Constantinople (Istanbul,
Turkey)
mint, 12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 AD;
obverse + IҺS XIS RЄX-RЄϚNANTIҺm (Jesus
Christ,
King of Kings),
Christ Pantokrator, bearded, enthroned facing on square-backed throne (
Type IIa), with
nimbus cruciger, wearing
pallium and
colobium, raising right hand in
benediction and holding Book of Gospels by upper edge on left knee with left, pelleted double
border surrounding;
reverse ΘCЄ bOHΘ'-RωmAҺω (God-Bearer,
help Romanus), MΘ (
Mother of God) above center, Virgin,
nimbate, standing facing on right, wearing
pallium and
maphorium, raising left hand in
benediction and crowning with right
Romanus III, bearded, standing facing on left, wearing crown with
cross and
pendilia,
sakkos and modified square pattern
loros with four pellets on fold, holding right hand on breast and
globus cruciger in left, pelleted double
border surrounding;
scarce.