Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1669. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BASIL II with CONSTANTINE VIII. 976-1025 AD. AR Miliaresion (2.71 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 989 AD. QCE b, Q, TOIS bASILS', facing bust of the Virgin holding facing bust of the infant Christ; MP QV at shoulders / + MER QU/DEDOIASM/O EIS SE EL'/PIZWn OU/CAPOT X in five lines. DOC III 19; BN 7; SB 1809. Fine, surfaces smoothed, metal slightly mineralized. Very rare. ($750)

This commemorative issue, with its obverse inscription "O Virgin aid the emperors", dates to the battle of Abydos, where Basil defeated the last of his internal opponents for the throne. The reverse inscription is translated as "Mother of God, full of glory, he who putteth his trust in thee will never fail in his undertakings".