Very Rare Follis of Theodore Gabras, Duke of Trebizond

443, Lot: 652. Estimate $300. Sold for $350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore Gabras. Duke of Trebizond, circa late 1080s-1098. Æ Follis (27mm, 4.74 g, 12h). Type VI. Trebizond mint. Struck circa 1092-1098. Facing bust of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) / Φ above, X below; Φ-Π across field, groups of pellets in angles around . S. Bendall, “The mint of Trebizond under Alexius I and the Gabrades” in NC 1977, issue 6; DOC 6; SB –. Near VF, dark brown patina, earthen encrustation. Very rare.

The region of Trebizond had been captured by the Turks following the disastrous battle of Manzikert. In 1075, soldier and nobleman Theodore Gabras defeated the occupiers and returned the region to Christian hands. Gabras afterward ruled over the region, regarding it as his own private domain, while still maintaining at least nominal allegiance to the emperor. Accordingly, Constantinople kept close watch over him and held his son Gregory hostage for a number of years. Upon the death of his father, Gregory assumed leadership of the Trebizond and entered into open rebellion against Alexius. Although the emperor soon quelled the rebellion, the Gabras family was allowed to maintain control over the region until the 1140’s.

In S. Bendall, “The mint of Trebizond under Alexius I and the Gabrades,” NC 1977, “Longuet expanded the letters on the reverse to read φως χριστου φωτιξει παντα, which means “May the light of Christ reveal everything” and/or “May the light of Christ shine forever.”