Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 218. Estimate CHF4500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF6600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, with Romanus I. 913-959. Solidus (Gold, 19mm, 4.40 g 7), Constantinople, 920/921. +IhS XPS REX REႺ NANTIႷ M✳ Christ, nimbate, seated facing on throne, raising right hand in benediction and, with his left hand, holding book of Gospels on his left knee. Rev. COnSTnT CE ROMAn AVGGb Crowned facing busts of Constantine VII, beardless on the left, and Romanus I, with short beard on the right; both wearing a loros and both holding, with their right hands, a long patriarchal cross on globe. DOC 3. SB 1741. Very rare. Sharp and unusually nice. Good extremely fine.

Ex Sincona 3, 25 October 2011, 3504, Bank Leu 77, 12 May 2000, 879 and Peus 268, 24 April 1968, 393.

Constantine VII had one of the longest reigns in Byzantine history, though for much of it he was only a co-emperor with the official regent, Romanus I. In fact, Romanus did his best to keep Constantine VII away from all power. This was the first of their joint issues and is not only very rare, but also one of the finest known pieces.