Exceptional Seal of Constantine IX

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1161. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $3100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. PB Seal (36mm, 36.74 g, 12h). +EMMA NOVHA, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator; IC XC flanking / +CwnGτAτh AuτOCRAτ[wR], half-length facing bust of Constantine IX, wearing crown with cross and pendants, divitision, and loros; holding cruciform scepter in right hand and globus cruciger in left. BLS I 79b var. (reverse legend); DOCBS -; Seyrig -; Vatican -; Orghidan -; Jordanov -. EF, attractive brown patina.

From the Robert E. Hecht Collection.

BLS I published three variations of this seal. While the designs of the three are very similar (and similar to Class III histamenoi of Constantine), the reverse legends of each differ. In this example the engraver has spelled the name of the emperor incorrectly.