Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 456. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

John I Zimisces. 969-976. AV Histamenon Nomisma (4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 970-973. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTInm, facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, wearing nimbus with •• in lateral cross arms, • in vertical cross arm, and pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, and holding book of Gospels in left / +ΘЄOTOC bOHΘ’ IωdЄSP’, facing half-length bust of John, wearing loros and crown with cross, holding patriarchal cross in left hand with • on shaft; to right, facing, half-length bust of Theotokos, nimbate, wearing mantle and maphorion, touching emperor’s crown with her right hand of blessing; above John, manus Dei; above the virgin, MΘ. DOC 3; Füeg 3; SB 1785. Near EF, tiny edge test on obverse at 4 o’clock.