Alexius I Comnenus. 1081-1118. EL Histamenon Nomisma (29.5mm, 4.31 g, 6h). Thessalonica(?) mint. Struck circa 1081-circa 1092(?). VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 966. Estimated: $ 1 500

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Electrum

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Alexius I Comnenus. 1081-1118. EL Histamenon Nomisma (29.5mm, 4.31 g, 6h). Thessalonica(?) mint. Struck circa 1081-circa 1092(?). Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing on suppedion, nimbate, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left; IC XC, each with macron above, flanking head of Christ / + AΛ ΞIω ΔЄCΠOτ, crowned half-length facing bust, wearing jeweled loros, holding akakia in right hand and globus in left; being crowned by manus Dei to left; large stars flanking. DOC –; SB –; CLBC 1.1.4; CNG 49, 1990. Toned, flan cracks, scratches. VF. Very rare; only seven examples, including this coin, in CoinArchives.

From the Iconodule Collection. Ex Numismatik Naumann 118 (3 July 2022), lot 1140; Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 1990.

This very rare unpublished coin of Alexius first appeared in 1999. Now with seven specimens known from auction records from the past few decades. An interesting issue that likely belongs to the pre-reform period given that the metal is so poor. Possibly an issue of the Thessalonica mint. Sear noted in SB 1927 that perhaps the large star on that issue “could be a reference to a brilliant comet which appeared in the heavens during Alexius’ visit to Thessalonica in 1105/6” (Sear, 387). Of course, this would likely contradict the coin belonging to the pre-reform period. Another hypothesis is simply that the coin was inspired by the better known issue of Constantine IX (SB 1831).

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Three – Lot 648–983 will be held Wednesday morning, 10 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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