Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1723. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANDRONICUS II with MICHAEL IX. 1282-1328. Billon Tornese (0.70 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 1295-1320. AND•NIK DECPT, Andronicus and Michael standing facing, holding long cross / +KOMNHNOC O PALAIOLOGOC, plain cross. Cf. DOC V pg.148, 8; cf. Bendall 142; cf. SB 2409 (all a variety of the reverse type). VF. Extremely rare, possibly unique. ($500)

The foregoing references cite a coin in Leu 13 (30 April 1975), lot 760, where one previously known specimen in Paris is also cited. This coin is better than the two previous specimens, and has complete legends. It is also a variety, lacking the small x at the intersection of the cross on the reverse.