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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Byzantine Coins| ▸ |Comnen Dynasty| ▸ |Michael VII||View Options:   | | | Michael's reign was a period of disasters and territorial losses. Unable to face these challenges, Michael VII abdicated and lived as a monk for the last 12 years of his life. |
SH51673. Electrum histamenon nomisma, DOC II-2 1; SBCV 1869, EF, scyphate, weight 4.344 g, maximum diameter 31.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1071 - 1078; obverse nimbate Christ seated facing on high backed throne, Gospels in left hand, five pellets on the cover, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking throne; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛE, bearded bust facing, wears loros & crown with pendilia, labarum in right, globus cruciger in left; SOLD
"CONSTANTINOPOLIS (Istanbul, Turkey - 41°02'N, 28°57'E), founded as Byzantium about 660 BC by Greeks from Megara, is located on the European side of the southern end of the Bosporus. It became a Roman ally in the second century BC, and maintained independent status until at least the first century AD. It was destroyed by Septimius Severus for aiding Pescennius Niger, but rebuilt within the same reign. Constantine I re-founded it as his capital, gave it his name, and opened a mint which struck for over 1,100 years under the Romans and Byzantines. It became the capital of the Byzantine Empire."- from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerSH51592. Electrum histamenon nomisma, DOC II-2 1; Wroth BMC 1; Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/Av/2; Sommer 55.1; SBCV 1869; Ratto -, VF/EF, scyphate, double struck, weight 4.388 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1071 - 1078; obverse nimbate Christ seated facing on high backed throne, Gospels in left hand. IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking throne; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛE, bearded bust facing, wears loros & crown with pendilia, labarum in right, globus cruciger in left; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Romanus IV Diogenes, 1 January 1068 - 19 August 1071
Due to their distinctive iconography, these histamenon types were nicknamed "six-headers" in their day.SH76240. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 1.1; Morrisson BnF 53/Cp/AV/02; Wroth BMC 1; Sommer 54.1; SBCV 1859; Ratto -, gVF, scyphate, earthen encrustation, light bumps and marks, weight 4.373 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1 Jan 1068 - 19 Aug 1071; obverse KWN MX ANΔ, Michael standing facing on footstool, transverse labarum in right hand, akakia in left hand, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, each standing facing on an individual footstool, each holding akakia in inner hand and globus cruciger in outer hand; reverse + PWMANS EVΔUKIA, Jesus Christ standing facing on footstool, crowning Romanus and Eudocia, each holds a globus cruciger in inner hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above; from the Robert Watcher Collection; SOLD
Cup shaped coins were more difficult to mint than flat coins. Some scholars have theorized the cup shape was intended to distinguish debased denominations from purer types. Most likely, however, the public would have no trouble distinguishing the lower gold content. Perhaps the shape was just a style.SH26432. Gold histamenon nomisma, Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AV/8 var. (seven jewels); Sommer 55.2.2; DOC III-2 2d; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2033; SBCV 1868, EF, scyphate, weight 4.342 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse bust of Christ Pantocrator facing, long pointed beard, nimbus cruciger, tunic & himation, right hand raised in benediction, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛ O Δ, bearded bust of Michael facing, wearing loros with eight jewels on collar and crown with pendilia, labarum in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand, double dot border; SOLD
Cup-shaped coins were more difficult to mint than flat coins. Some scholars have theorized the cup shape was intended to distinguish debased denominations from purer types. Most likely, however, the public would have no trouble distinguishing the lower gold content. Perhaps the shape was just a style.SH76245. Gold histamenon nomisma, Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AV/9; Sommer 55.2.1; DOC III-2 2d; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2033; SBCV 1868, VF, scyphate, light marks and scratches, holed and filled, weight 4.037 g, maximum diameter 28.4 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 24 Oct 1071 - 24 Mar 1078 A.D.; obverse bust of Christ Pantocrator facing with long pointed beard, wearing nimbus cruciger, tunic & himation, right hand raised in benediction, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛ O Δ, bearded bust of Michael facing, wearing loros with six jewels on collar and crown with pendilia, vexillum in right hand with pellet on shaft below hand, globus cruciger in left hand; ex H.D. Rauch e-auction 14 (14 Dec 2013), part of lot 595; from the Robert Watcher Collection; SOLD
Byzantine Empire, Romanus IV Diogenes, 1 January 1068 - 19 August 1071
Due to their distinctive iconography, these histamenon types were nicknamed "six-headers" in their day.SH87499. Gold histamenon nomisma, DOC III-2 1.1; Morrisson BnF 53/Cp/AV/02; Wroth BMC 1; Sommer 54.1; SBCV 1859; Ratto -, F/VF, scyphate, some scratches, holes for pendant, weight 3.938 g, maximum diameter 27.0 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 1 Jan 1068 - 19 Aug 1071; obverse KWN MX ANΔ, Michael standing facing on footstool, transverse labarum in right hand, akakia in left hand, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, each standing facing on an individual footstool, each holding akakia in inner hand and globus cruciger in outer hand; reverse + PWMANS EVΔUKIA, Jesus Christ standing facing on footstool, crowning Romanus and Eudocia, each holds a globus cruciger in inner hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) flanking Christ's head; from the Robert Watcher Collection; SOLD
In DOC III, Grierson notes of Michael VII Ducas' silver coins that the metal quality is always poor and most coins are pierced or broken.BZ70527. Silver 2/3 miliaresion, Wroth BMC 21; Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AR/6; Sommer 55.6; DOC III-2 11b (not in the collection, refs Wroth; SBCV 1875, F, pierced, weight 1.368 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse Christ Pantocrator enthroned facing, nimbate, raising right hand in benediction, Gospels in left, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking across field; reverse - • - / + KΕP Θ / MIXAΗΛ / ΔΕCΠOTΗ / TWΔOY / - KA -; very rare; SOLD
"CONSTANTINOPOLIS (Istanbul, Turkey - 41°02'N, 28°57'E), founded as Byzantium about 660 BC by Greeks from Megara, is located on the European side of the southern end of the Bosporus. It became a Roman ally in the second century BC, and maintained independent status until at least the first century AD. It was destroyed by Septimius Severus for aiding Pescennius Niger, but rebuilt within the same reign. Constantine I re-founded it as his capital, gave it his name, and opened a mint which struck for over 1,100 years under the Romans and Byzantines. It became the capital of the Byzantine Empire."- from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerSH12593. Silver miliaresion, DOC III-2 6a, Wroth BMC 15, Ratto 2048, Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AR/2, Sommer 55.5, SBCV 1874, aVF, weight 1.695 g, maximum diameter 21.6 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse EN TOVTW NIKATE MIXAHΛ KAI MAPIA, facing busts of Michael on left and Maria on right, beside cross crosslet on globus on three steps, pellet in crescent and X on shaft; reverse MIXAHΛ / KAI MAPIA/ ΠICTOI RA/CILEIC PW/MAIWN, - + - above, - • - below; very scarce; SOLD
| Anna Komnene, in her medieval biographical text Alexiad, describes the beautiful Georgian princess Maria of Alania: "...he had told Botaniates a great deal about her family and personal beauty, and often praised her to him. And certainly she was as slender of stature as a cypress, her skin was white as snow, and though her face was not a perfect round, yet her complexion was exactly like a spring flower or a rose. And what mortal could describe the radiance of her eyes? Her eyebrows were well-marked and red-gold, while her eyes were blue. Full many a painter's hand has successfully imitated the colors of the various flowers the seasons bring, but this queen's beauty, the radiance of her grace and the charm and sweetness of her manners surpassed all description and all art. Never did Apelles or Pheidias or any of the sculptors produce a statue so beautiful. The Gorgon's head was said to turn those who looked upon it into stone, but anyone who saw the Queen walking or met her unexpectedly, would have gaped and remained rooted to the spot, speechless, as if apparently robbed of his mind and wits. There was such harmony of limbs and features, such perfect relation of the whole to the parts and of the parts to the whole, as was never before seen in a mortal body, she was a living statue, a joy to all true lovers of the beautiful. In a word, she was an incarnation of Love come down to this terrestrial globe." |  |
Sear notes the type is frequently overstruck on folles of Romanus IV, SBCV 1866.BZ88934. Bronze follis, DOC III - 2 14b (nine pellets on Gospels cover); Wroth BMC 26; Ratto 2042; Morrisson BnF 55/Cp/AE/9; Berk 958; Sommer 55.8; SBCV 1878, EF, dark patina, overstruck, part of edge ragged, weight 6.561 g, maximum diameter 26.1 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, obverse bust of Christ facing, cross behind head, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right in benediction, Gospels in left hand, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: IΗΣOúΣ XPIΣTOΣ - Jesus Christ) flanking above large stars; reverse + MIXAHΛ RACIΛ O Δ, bearded bust facing, wearing crown and loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger; SOLD
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