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Theodore Doukas (Thessalonike), Copper, Tetarteron Noummion, Thessalonike, 1225/1227-1230

 
 

Obverse

Half-length figure of Theodore Doukas on left and St. Demetrius, beardless and nimbate, on right. Between them a patriarchal cross with crosslets on lower transverse arm. Cross is on long shaft decorated with crescent and pellet, the base of the shaft ends in three steps. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and jeweled loros of simplified type and holds akakia in left hand. Saint wears tunic, breastplate, and sagion and holds sword resting over shoulder in right hand and shield in left hand.

ΘEOΔΡOΣ ΔΕCΠOCOΑΓΗOΔΗΜITΡ

Reverse

Complete imperial titulature in seven lines.

ΘΕOΔ
ΩPOCENXΩ
TΩΘEΩ
ΠICTOC
BACIΛEVCKΛI
ΛVTOKPATΩP
PΩMΛIΩNO
Δ
KΛC

Obverse

Half-length figure of Theodore Doukas on left and St. Demetrius, beardless and nimbate, on right. Between them a patriarchal cross with crosslets on lower transverse arm. Cross is on long shaft decorated with crescent and pellet, the base of the shaft ends in three steps. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-piece, and jeweled loros of simplified type and holds akakia in left hand. Saint wears tunic, breastplate, and sagion and holds sword resting over shoulder in right hand and shield in left hand.

ΘEOΔΡOΣ ΔΕCΠOCOΑΓΗOΔΗΜITΡ

Reverse

Complete imperial titulature in seven lines.

ΘΕOΔ
ΩPOCENXΩ
TΩΘEΩ
ΠICTOC
BACIΛEVCKΛI
ΛVTOKPATΩP
PΩMΛIΩNO
Δ
KΛC

Accession number BZC.2009.028
Catalogue ID as DOC 4.2:562, no. (11)
Ruler Theodore Doukas (Thessalonike)
Date of Reign 1224–1230
Metal Copper
Denomination Tetarteron Noummion
Mint Thessalonike
Date 1225/12271230
Diameter 23.0 mm
Weight 3.98 g
Relation of Dies 12:00
Shape Flat

Commentary

This is the only example of Theodore with his full titulature. Double-struck on both sides. See commentary in C. Morrisson, “The Emperor, the Saint, and the City : Coinage and Money in Thessalonike from the Thirteenth to the Fifteenth Century,” 180. 

DOC 4.2:562, no. (11) (this coin illustrated).

S. Bendall, “A New Tetarteron of Theodore Comnenus Ducas,” 10.

Acquisition History

From Ira and Larry Goldberg sale, 26 May 2009, lot 2382, from LHS Sale 97, 10 May 2006, lot 107, from P. Protonatarios collection (published by S. Bendall [see above])