The Usurper Theodore Mancaphas (“the Crazed”)

318, Lot: 897. Estimate $150. Sold for $260. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore Mancaphas. Usurper in Philadelphia, circa 1188-1189 and circa 1204-1206. BI Aspron Trachy (27mm, 3.96 g, 6h). Christ Pantokrator standing facing on daïs; [monograms] flanking / Theodore standing facing, holding patriarchal cross. DOC 2; Bendall & Morrisson pl. XXV, 2; SB –. Good Fine, brown patina. Rare.

The coinage of Theodore Mancaphas was first published in 1967 – although unattributed – and has been assigned to various rulers by some (see DOC pp. 393-395 for alternative attributions and Philip Grierson’s sound rejection of them). Indeed, we are explicitly told by the contemporary historian Nicetas Choniates that Mancaphas struck coinage with his name and image (although he states, surely incorrectly, in silver – with only electrum and highly debased billon issues surviving today).

The reverse legend, particularly clear on the current specimen, can be expanded to Θεόδωρος Βασιλευς Μαγκαφας. The use of basileus in place of despotes is remarkable for the time. Mancaphas (from the Turkish mankafa [“crazed”] was the (unflattering) family name of Theodore, one that his opponents whom were aware of the meaning must have found to be entirely appropriate!