63, Lot: 110. Estimate $250. Sold for $335. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ROMANUS IV. 1068-1071 AD. AV Histamenon Nomisma (28mm, 4.35 gm). Constantinople mint. Michael standing facing, holding labarum and akakia, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, each holding globus cruciger and akakia; each wears saccos and loros and stands on footstool / Christ standing facing on footstool, crowning Romanus and Eudocia, each wearing saccos and loros, and holding cross on globe; IC-XC divided by Christ's head. DOC III 1.8; SB 1859. VF.

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.