Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII. 976-1025. AV Histamenon Nomisma (24.5mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 1005-1025. EF.CNG Feature Auction 123 Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold Sold For $ 2 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII. 976-1025. AV Histamenon Nomisma (24.5mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 1005-1025. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator; upturned crescents in upper two quarters of nimbus cross / Crowned half-length busts of Basil, wearing loros, with suspended crown above head, and Constantine, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding long cross between them. DOC 6a; Füeg II 6.B1; SB 1800. Obverse double struck, singular light scratch on obverse and reverse. EF. An exceptionally early and vibrant strike. Most interestingly featuring a die engraver’s spacing line in a crescent shape spanning the two rulers’ shoulders. Similar in function to a die engraver’s centering circle and only seen on especially early strikes. |