CNG 88, Lot: 1711. Estimate $7500. Sold for $5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine VI & Irene, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV. 780-797. AV Histamenon Nomisma (20mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 792-793. C[OnS]τAnτInOS’ C’ Δ’, crowned facing busts of Constantine VI and Irene, wearing chlamys and loros, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter, respectively; cross between / SVRInI nIΛΓ’ m’ ΛVτOV, Constantine V, Leo III, and Leo IV seated facing, each wearing crown and chlamys. DOC 2b var. (legends); Füeg 4.17 var. (same) SB 1591. Good VF, minor flan on the reverse.

The powerful personality of Irene had always overshadowed that of her son Constantine, and only an army mutiny had prevented her from taking power in 790. After a short period in exile, she returned to Constantinople, and began working at eliminating her enemies. As the coinage shows, she quickly relegated her son to second place. By 797 she had discredited Constantine to the point that she could have him deposed, blinded, and murdered with little outcry. In 802 Irene was also deposed after attempting to arrange a marriage between herself and Charlemagne.