Description
Constantinople, circa 945 AD. AU solidus, 4.24 gr., 19 mm.
Obv: +IhS XPS RЄX RЄϚNANTIЧm; nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing pallium and columbium, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in left; three pellets in each arm of cross.
Rev: +COҺSƮAҺƮ’AVƮ’CRAƮ’N’ҺO•; crowned bust of Constantine VII facing, with long beard and wearing a loros, in his right hand holding a patriarchal cross on a globus.
Ref: DOC 13a.1 (same dies); Sear 1747. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 92 (Zürich 2016), lot 988.
Extremely rare. Well-centered. Some minor marks, nevertheless Nearly extremely fine.
This sole reign solidus was struck during the very brief period from January to April 945 when Constantine reigned without any associates after deposing his two domineering brothers-in-law on January 27 and before he added his son Romanus II as co-augustus on April 6.
