Triton XIX, Lot: 704. Estimate $750. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Eudocia, with Michael VII and Constantius. 1067. AV Histamenon Nomisma (27mm, 4.36 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. +IҺS INI RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm, Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing / +MIX ЄV–ΔK ΚωRP, Eudocia, holding jeweled scepter in right hand, standing facing on footstool, flanked by her sons Michael and Constantius, each holding globus cruciger and akakia. DOC 1 var. (legends); Füeg 1.w var. (same); SB 1857 var. (same). Near EF.

Eudocia ruled as regent from the death of her husband Constantine X in May of 1067 until the end of the year. At the time, the empire was facing a military crisis in the east as the Seljuq Turks advanced further into Asia Minor, and the prevailing feeling was that a competent military leader should be emperor. Eudocia, despite having declared that she would never remarry, took the hand of Romanus IV Diogenes on 1 January 1068. Romanus’ own rule lasted a little over two and a half years, as he was captured by the Turks at the Battle of Mantzikert in August of 1071. Eudocia was re-established as regent for two months before being coerced into retiring to a convent. Whether this issue dates to her first or second term as regent has been debated, but the former seems more logical. While by no means abundant, the output of this coinage seems too large to be condensed into the short span of her second regency.