John I Tzimiskes, Gold, Nomisma Histamenon, Constantinople, 969-976
Obverse
Frontal bust of Christ, bearded, with cross nimbus having two pellets in transverse arms.
ΙSXPSREXREϚNANTIΛ
Reverse
At left, frontal bust of John I Tzimiskes, bearded, wearing modified loros and crown with cross and pendilia, holding in left hand patriarchal cross ornamented with X at intersection of lower arm and pellet below on the shaft cross. At right, frontal bust of the Virgin, nimbate, wearing mantle and maphorion, touching emperor’s crown with her right hand. Manus Dei in field above John’s head and ΜΘ above Virgin.
ΘEOTOC-OHΘʹIΩESʹ
Obverse
Frontal bust of Christ, bearded, with cross nimbus having two pellets in transverse arms.
ΙSXPSREXREϚNANTIΛ
Reverse
At left, frontal bust of John I Tzimiskes, bearded, wearing modified loros and crown with cross and pendilia, holding in left hand patriarchal cross ornamented with X at intersection of lower arm and pellet below on the shaft cross. At right, frontal bust of the Virgin, nimbate, wearing mantle and maphorion, touching emperor’s crown with her right hand. Manus Dei in field above John’s head and ΜΘ above Virgin.
ΘEOTOC-OHΘʹIΩESʹ
| Accession number | BZC.2002.21 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | John I Tzimiskes |
| Date of Reign | 969–976 |
| Metal | Gold |
| Denomination | Nomisma Histamenon |
| Mint | Constantinople |
| Date | 969 – 976 |
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
| Weight | 4.38 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Auction 118, 15 November 2002, no. 2539
Commentary
Variant of DOC 3.2:594, no. 3.9 (variant with ornamented patriarchal cross instead of plain). On the coin’s obverse, the inverted V in TIVM may result from the use of punches by die engravers.