2287

Byzantine Empire. Romanus III, 1028-1034. Anonymous Sil

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:600.00 USD
Byzantine Empire. Romanus III, 1028-1034. Anonymous Sil
Byzantine Empire. Romanus III, 1028-1034. Anonymous Silver Miliaresion (3.73g), Constantinople. 1030. The Virgin Hodegetria stg. three-quarter face to r. on footstool, holding on her l. arm the infant Christ, triple border ornamented with eight equally spaced pellets. Rev. Romanus stg. facing on cushion, wearing crown and loros, and holding long patriarchal cross and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross, triple border as obv. DOC 3b; Sear 1822. Nearly Fine and extremely rare, striking crack at 8 o'clock.

Although anonymous, this remarkable and beautiful type has been securely attributed by Grierson to the reign of Romanus III and to the occasion of his setting forth from Constantinople in 1030 at the start of his Syrian campaign. The inscription is a hexameter line reading from one side of the coin to the other "He who places his hope on thee, O Virgin all-glorious, will prosper in all he does" (DOC III.2, p. 712).
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
The Christov Family Collection.

Our item number 146167