2292

Byzantine Empire. Constantine IX, 1042-1055. Gold Hista

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:1,000.00 USD
Byzantine Empire. Constantine IX, 1042-1055. Gold Hista
Byzantine Empire. Constantine IX, 1042-1055. Gold Histamenon Nomisma, Constantinople. 1054-5. Another, all as previous. DOC 4a; Sear 1831Obv. as previous. Rev. Crowned bust of Constantine facing, wearing jeweled chlamys and holding gl. cr. and hilt of sword, large eight-rayed stars in field to l. and to r., triple border. DOC 4a; Sear 1831. Choice Extremely Fine and rare.

The prominent stars in reverse field are thought to refer to the appearance of a supernova in the constellation Taurus on 4 July 1054, an immense stellar explosion which gave rise to the Crab Nebula (cf. DOC III.2, pp. 734-6).
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
The Christov Family Collection CNG 54 (2000), lot 1937.

Our item number 146173