Constantine IX, 1042-1055 A.D.

AR 2/3 Miliearesion, 2.20g. 25mm. Constantinople, Facing bust of the Virgin orans, nimbate and wearing tunic and maphorium; monograms resolving as "Mary, mother of God" in fields to right and left. Rev. Six line inscription with name of emperor and titles. DOC 8a. Sear 1835. Scarce and in unusually choice condition without the typical damages and cracks. Toned.

This image of the Virgin is known as the Blachernitissa and is identified as such in the obverse legend. It is named after a monastery in Constantinople in which a marble statue of the Virgin praying in a similar gesture was described in the 10th century. The statue was in the Imperial bath area and holy water flowed from her outstretched hands. A painted icon of the Virgin Blachernitissa also was carried into military campaigns. (See: Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium p, 2170.)

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about Extremely Fine $4,500.

Theodore I, 1208-1222 A.D.

AR Trachy, 4.43g. 35mm. Magnesia mint, Kingdom of Nicaea.  Christ enthroned holding Book of Gospels in left hand. Rev. Emperor standing on the left wearing jeweled loros and crown with pendillia;   St. Theodore standing on the right in miliatry cotume; they hold a long shaft surmounted by an eight-pointed star between them. DOC, vol. 4, pt. 2, 457, 2.3-2.4. Sear 2064. Sommer  69.3.2. Toned  with luster and of unusually full weight.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Tkalec, Zurich, Auction October 25, 1996, lot 334. 

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Extremely Fine/about Extremely Fine $2,400.

John VII, 1390-1402

AR 1/2 Stavrata, 3.69g.  19mm.  Constantinople, 1399-1403.   Facing bust of Christ holding book of Gospels; two stars as sigla above legend.  Rev. Facing bust of John VII wearing crown and nimbus; pellet to left and right.   Sear 2562.  DOC, Vol. 5. p. 227, table 30,1 for sigla and pl. 71,1328 var(sigla).  Sommer 89.1 Toned and rare.  The silver coinage of John VII  is distinguished by a legend varinat, a different pattern of surrounding pellets, weight variation, and sigla from the much more common issues of John VIII. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Auction 134, 2004, lot 3336.

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good Very Fine $1,750.

John VIII, 1423-1448 A.D.

AR  Stavraton, 6.97g.  24 mm.  Constantinople, 1425-1428.    Facing bust of Christ holding book of Gospels; two stars as sigla above legend.  Rev. Facing bust of John VIII wearing crown and nimbus; pellet to left and right.   Sear 2563.  DOC 1721-1727.   Sommer 90.1.2,  Toned and with a particularly well struck bust of Christ.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Auction 100, 1999, lot 650.

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Extremely Fine/good Very Fine $1,000.