Christ and Nicephorus II Phocas and Theotokos Gold Coin

Description

4.4 gram Solid 24kt Yellow Gold Coin

Dimensions: 13/16″ wide by 1 3/16″ high

Christ and Nicephorus II Phocas and Theotokos (Virgin Mary) AV histamenon Nomisma. Constantinople mint. A.D. 963-969. DO 4; Sear 1778

Obverse: Christ Pantokrator-Facing bust of Christ wearing nimbus cruciger (cross bearing halo), right hand raised in blessing, left hand holding book of gospels; Ihs XΓS REX REGNANTInm (Jesus Christ King of Kings).

Reverse: Facing busts of Nicephorus with short beard, wearing loros and crown with cross, +ΘOTOC’ bHΘ’ hIEHF dESP’ (God-bearer help ruler Nicephorus) and Theotokos nimbus (with a halo) wearing a stola and maphorium (head covering) and divides M/•-Θ (mother of God), both holding patriarchal cross between them.

Nicephorus II Phocas was born 912, Cappadocia and died Dec. 10/11, 969, in Constantinople. He reigned as Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969.  His military achievements contributed to the resurgence of Byzantine power in the 10th century. During Nicephorus’ reign the gold coinage was divided into two types. The first retained the weight and appearance of the solidus; it would be called the “histamenon” or “standard”; this coin is an example. The second was a debased coin called the “tetarteron” or “quarter” having a lighter weight.  Taxes had to be paid in histamena, disbursements were paid in tetartera. Finally there was coinage reform under Alexius I in 1092.