byzantine-empire-963-969-ad-item

DenominationHistamenon Nomisma

Country / EmpireByzantine Empire

Obverse DesignChrist Pantocrator, nimbate, seated on a throne, holding a book of Gospels. Inscription: +IhS XIS REX REGNANTIUM (Jesus Christ King of Kings).

Reverse DesignNicephorus II (left, taller, bearded, wearing loros and crown) and Basil II (right, smaller, beardless, wearing chlamys and crown), both standing facing, holding a long patriarchal cross between them. Inscription: NIKHFOROS KAI BASILEIOS b R (Nicephorus and Basil, Emperors of the Romans).

Historical Context

This coin was issued during the reign of Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas (963-969 AD), depicting him alongside the young Basil II, who was then a junior co-emperor. It represents a period of military resurgence for the Byzantine Empire. The Histamenon Nomisma was the standard gold coinage of the empire, maintaining the weight standard of the earlier solidus but often having a broader flan. This particular type (Sear 1776) is a key example of the early Histamenon.

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