Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1777. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BASIL II, Bulgaroctonus, with CONSTANTINE VIII. 976-1025 AD. AR Miliaresion (2.51 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 989 AD. QCE b, Q, TOIS bASILS', nimbate facing bust of the Virgin holding nimbate facing bust of the infant Christ / + MER QU/DEDOXASM/O EIS SE EL'/PIZWn OU/CAPOT, X, in five lines. DOC III 19; SB 1809. VF, flan chips, some crystallization. Very rare. ($500)

From the Christopher Connell Collection.

This commemorative issue, with its obverse inscription "O Virgin aid the emperors", dates to the battle of Abydos in 989 AD, 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".