168, Lot: 290. Estimate $500. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constans II. 641-668. AR Miliaresion (23mm, 3.10 g). Constantinople mint. Struck 652-654. “Ceremonial” issue. Crowned facing bust of Constans, with full beard, holding globus cruciger / Cross potent set on globe on three steps; palm fronds flanking. DOC -; MIB III 139; SB 986A. VF, toned, half not struck up.

Along with the recent examples of previously unknown “half-miliaresia” (S. Bendall. "A New Silver Ceremonial Coin of Constans II," NumCirc October 2005), p. 306, we have this, a new specimen of the extraordinarily rare miliaresion of the same period. The citations in Sear and MIB both cite the same specimen, sold in Sternberg VII (24-25 November 1977), lot 1255 and now in Birmingham. The purpose of these pieces is unknown; they were not struck in sufficient quantities to allow circulation, and their weights are quite erratic. Their designation as “ceremonial” simply means we do not know why there were issued.