313, Lot: 480. Estimate $100. Sold for $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore Comnenus-Ducas. As emperor of Thessalonica, 1225/7-1230. BI Aspron Trachy (23mm, 2.64 g, 6h). [Facing bust of Christ Emmanuel] / Theodore standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger with double barred patriarchal cross. DOC 10; SB 2168. Near VF, brown patina.

From the Iconodule Collection.

While the reverse type and legend is clearly that of DOC 10, the circumstances that led to the obverse we see are unclear. Instead of the typical bust of a beardless Christ Emmanuel, we find the upper portion of a mature and presumably seated figure of Christ, as well as standing figure of an emperor, crowned and wearing a loros, seen horizontally across Christ’s chest. Presumably this is the result of a complex series of overstrikes, with the bust of Emmanuel having never been fully struck up.