The Usurper Theodore Mancaphas

CNG 102, Lot: 1205. Estimate $300. Sold for $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore Mancaphas. Usurper in Philadelphia, circa 1188-1189 and circa 1204-1206. BI Trachy (28mm, 2.34 g, 6h). Struck 1188-1189. Christ Pantokrator standing facing on dais / Theodore standing facing, holding cruciform scepter in right hand, placing left hand on hilt of sword. DOC (2); Bendall & Morrisson pl. XXV, 4; SB –. VF, green patina. Rare.

The coinage of Theodore Mancaphas (Theodore “the fool”) was first published in 1967 – although unattributed at the time – and has been assigned to various rulers since (see DOC pp. 393-395 for alternatives to the Mancaphas attribution 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).