Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2291. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $710. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ROMANUS IV, Diogenes. 1068-1071 AD. AV Histamenon (4.38 gm). Constantinople mint. Michael VII standing, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, all on footstools / Christ crowning Romanus and Eudocia. DOC III 1; BN 1; SB 1859. EF, especially fine strike. ($300)

Taking the normal orientation of concavity, the obverse of the histamena of Romanus is the side with the three sons of Eudocia, while Christ blessing their marriage takes the reverse. The supporters of Eudocia wished to emphasize the seniority of the sons of Constantine in the succession.