Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1219. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ROMANUS III. 1028-1034 AD. AV Histamenon (4.39 gm). Constantinople mint. +IhS XIS REX REGNANTINM, nimbate Christ enthroned, holding Gospels / QCE bOHQ RWMANW, Mary (nimbate) crowning Romanus, garbed in saccos and jeweled loros (five pellets in hem of loros), holding globus cruciger. DOC III 1c; BN1; SB 1819. EF ($300)

Romanus was the Eparch (governor) of Constantinople when the childless emperor Constantine VIII presented him his sister Zoe as wife, making him heir. The new emperor was a pious man, little interested in affairs of state and instead lavishing vast funds on the enrichment of churches. The increased taxes this required left the aristocracy disenchanted, and an unfortunate attempt at military fame against the emir of Aleppo lost him support in the army. His fate was sealed when Zoe caught the eye of Michael the Paphlagonian, the brother of an influential court official. His support evaporated, Romanus was drowned in his bath, and Michael took his place, both as husband and emperor.