106 / 184
1270
Irene. Gold Solidus (3.88g), 797-802. Syracuse, 798-802. [EI]-RIN bAS[ILIS], crowned bust of Irene facing,
wearing loros, holding globus cruciger and cross-tipped scepter; in left field, pellet. Rev. [EIRIN] bASILIS,
crowned bust of Irene facing, wear loros, holding globus cruciger and cross-tipped scepter; in left field, C;
in field to right, I. (DOC -; Anastasi 455; Spahr -; SB -).
Very rare.
Choice very fine.
$ 4,000
1271
Theodora. GoldHistamenonNomisma (4.30 g), 1055-1056. Constantinople. + IhSXISRexREG-NANtihm,
Christ, nimbate, standing facing on footstool, wearing pallium and colobium, holding Book of Gospels
with both hands; all within double border of dots. Rev. +
Q
EO
Dw
PA AV
G
OVCTA, Theodora, crowned
and wearing loros, and the Virgin, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium, standing facing, holding
between them a labarum; M-
Q
to sides of the Virgin. (DOC 1a; SB 1837).
Rare.
Extremely fine. $ 3,600
In 1042 a popular uprising overthrew the Byzantine emperor Michael V and placed the leadership of the state in the hands of his
exiled aunt, Zoe. Despite her popularity, however, Zoe was ill-equipped to rule, so the imperial court petitioned her estranged sister,
Theodora, to share the reigns of power with her. Theodora attempted to escape this fate by entering a convent, but was forced to
ascend the throne despite her hesitance. Their joint-reign was disastrous as the sisters’ acrimonious relationship divided the court into
two opposing factions. Zoe even went so far as to marry so that she could better negate Theodora’s influence. When Zoe’s husband,
Constantine IX, lay dying in 1055 (Zoe had died five years before), the 75-year-old Theodora had herself proclaimed empress in
her own right. Her sole-rule, during which this coin was struck, saw a purge of the army and officials who had previously showed
preference for Zoe and an increased centralization of the imperial administration. Theodora’s iron-willed period of autonomous rule
did not last and she herself died on 31 August 1056.