Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1779. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANTINE IX, Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Histamenon Nomisma (4.41 gm). Constantinople mint. Nimbate facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Facing bust of Constantine, wearing crown and jewelled chlamys, holding globus cruciger and sword; two stars flanking crown. DOC III 4a; SB 1831. Lightly toned EF. ($2500)

The "stellati" histamena have exercized the minds of numismatists for generations. The popular theory that the stars represent the supernova of 1054 has never found substantiation in the European historical record. In addition, newly discovered histamena of Alexius I also have twin stars flanking the portrait (cf. Triton V, lot 2310) at a time when no astronomical phenomena are recorded. An alternative theory, that it marks the Great Schism of the Churches that also occurred in 1054 is an event that is unlikely to have been commemorated on a Byzantine coin, even if the significance was realized at the time.

An alternative theory, that it marks the Great Schism of the Churches that also occurred in 1054 is an event that is unlikely to have been commemorated on a Byzantine coin, even if the significance was realized at the time.In determining the event this issue commemorated, three factors must be taken into account. The first is the stars, which obviously reflect contemporary events of great significance, since they appear only on one specific issue. The second is a change in the imperial portrait from the previous issues: Constantine holds a sword rather than the usual scepter. And finally, there is an obvious change in the form of the coin itself, with the type being found with both flat and concave ("scyphate") fabrics. This probably reflects some subtle shift in weight and/or fineness. As Grierson suggests, the change in fabric probably occurred early in the reign of Constantine, sometime in the 1040s. If the star issue is seen as transitional, it would have to have been struck in the mid-1040s, leaving no basis for the traditional 1054 date. So, do the stars reflect a significant event (or events) of that time? Early in 1043, the renowned general George Maniakes, having lost his position in a dispute with a fellow official, rebelled and led his army in Anatolia against the capitol. A hard-fought battle in Thrace saw the death of the rebel and the defeat of his forces. In that same year, the Russian prince Jaroslav, either acting in concert with Maniakes or simply taking advantage of the chaos of civil war, sent 400 ships and 20,000 men to beseige Constantinople. The resulting confrontation with the Byzantine navy on the Bosporus ended with the almost complete destruction of the Russian fleet. Perhaps the costs of these two conflicts necessitated a reduction in the value of the currency, marked by the change from flat to curved flans. The "stellati" would thus commemorate the twin victories of 1043, with Constantine depicted as a victorious soldier-emperor, defender of the Empire, sword in hand, flanked by symbols of his God-given successes.