Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1824. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $2300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EMPIRE of TREBIZOND. John II, with Alexius II. 1280-1297. AR Asper (2.28 gm). Struck circa 1297. OA EU GENIOC, St. Eugenius, nimbate, standing facing, holding long cross / IWO K ALEXIOC K, John standing facing, holding labarum, clasping hands with his son Alexius, who holds sceptre. Retowski 3; BMC Vandals pg. 276; SB 2616. VF, flatly struck. Extremely rare. ($500)

With the recent finds of a number of coins of Theodora, this asper of the joint reign of John II and Alexius II presently rates as the rarest Trebizond silver asper.