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Constantine VIII Histamenon SBCV 1815
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Constantine VIII, Gold histamenon nomisma, Constantinople, 1025 - 1028 AD, 4.39g, 24.3mm, DOC III-2 2.1 var. (serifs on cross); Füeg II 2.A.8; Morrisson BnF 42/Cp/AV/01-04 var. (no pellet); Wroth BMC 3 var. (same); S
SBCV 1815, NGC Ch XF, strike 5/5, surface 2/5,
OBV: + IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM, bearded bust of Christ facing wearing nimbus cruciger with straight arms and crescents in upper quarters, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction,
Gospels in left, triple border;
REV: + CWnStAntIn bASILEhS ROM, bust facing, with long beard, wearing crown and loros, labarum in left hand with pellet on shaft, akakia in right hand, triple border;
EX: Forvm Ancient Coins
NGC Lookup: https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/6134583-003/NGCAncients/
Constantine VIII was crowned emperor when he was an infant; however, for his first 63 years of "rule" he was a junior emperor and rarely played even a minor role in state affairs.
He spent his life in search of pleasure and entertainment, including spectator sports at the Hippodrome, feasting, riding and hunting. After his brother Basil II died,
Constantine was sole emperor for nearly the last three years of his life. He carried on as he always had, enjoying life and avoiding state business as much as possible.
Ineffective and cruel, he allegedly ordered the execution or mutilation of hundreds of innocent men.
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