Michael VII Doukas, Copper, Nomisma Histamenon, Pattern Coin, Uncertain Mint, 1071-1078
Obverse
Christ bearded with nimbus cruciger seated on throne with square back. Right hand in sling of cloak, Gospels in left hand. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅.
Reverse
Frontal bust of Michael VII Doukas, bearded, wearing modified loros with collar piece and crown with cross and pendilia. Labarum scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand.
MI[X]-H-[ ]OΔ
Obverse
Christ bearded with nimbus cruciger seated on throne with square back. Right hand in sling of cloak, Gospels in left hand. To left and right, IC̅ XC̅.
Reverse
Frontal bust of Michael VII Doukas, bearded, wearing modified loros with collar piece and crown with cross and pendilia. Labarum scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand.
MI[X]-H-[ ]OΔ
| Accession number | BZC.2013.033 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Michael VII Doukas |
| Date of Reign | 1071–1078 |
| Metal | Copper |
| Denomination | Nomisma Histamenon |
| Mint | Uncertain Mint |
| Date | 1071 – 1078 |
| Diameter | 27.0 x 29.0 mm |
| Weight | 3.66 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 75, 18 November 2013, no. 802
Commentary
Cf. gold nomisma histamena of Michael VII, class 1 (DOC 3.2:803, no. 1). For other examples of pattern coins, see DOC 3.1:98–99 with Table 10. Numismatica Ars Classica 75, 799, shows a pattern of a histamenon of Romanos IV of class 2 (DOC 3.2:790–91), weighing 5.04 g. The tetarteron pattern of Zoe (DOC 3.2:730, no. 2) weighs 3.57 g. Both the histamenon pattern of Zoe in Istanbul (DOC 3.2:729, no. 1) and the tetarteron pattern of Romanos IV in the Bibliothèque nationale (DOC 3.2:792, no. [4], and BNC 2:651, no. 53/Cp/AV/12) are much heavier and thicker (17.79 g and 33.69 g, respectively).