168, Lot: 294. Estimate $75. Sold for $67. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Anonymous Tessera. Circa 11th century. Æ Tessera (21mm, 3.17 g). Both sides with IC XC NI KA around jeweled cross. VF, green and brown patina.

The type is copied from the reverse of the Anonymous Class C follis, and thus the tessera probably dates from the middle of the 11th century. The tesserae, or tokens of this period have been little studied, but it has been suggested they were part of a donative system for the poor of Constantinople.