174, Lot: 316. Estimate $75. Sold for $76. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Manuel I Comnenus. Emperor of Trebizond, 1238-1263. AR Asper (23mm, 2.89 g). Nimbate figure of St. Eugenius standing, holding long cross; four pellets on and around cross, one above right / Manuel standing facing, crowned and wearing loros, holding labarum and akakaia, Hand of God to right; two pellets on labarum staff, K to left, two pellets in upper fields. Cf. Retowski 31; SB 2601. VF, toned.

From the Chris Connell Collection.

There is an immense variety of control marks on the aspers of Manuel I. Retowski’s incomplete listing has over 200 varieties.