Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1860. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARTAVASDUS, with NICEPHORUS. 742-743 AD. AR Miliaresion (1.80 gm, 6h). Constantinople mint. Cross potent on three steps / ARTAUASDOS S NIChFOROS EC QEU bASILIS+ in six lines. DOC II 6; SB 1545. Fine, toned, light graffiti. One of the rarest miliaresia in the Byzantine series. ($1000)

Artavasdus the Armenian, a close associate of Leo III, assisted in the overthrow of Theodosius III, and later married Leo's daughter. When Leo died, Artavasdus rose in revolt against Leo's son and heir, Constantine V. After chasing Constantine into Asia Minor, Artavasdus ousted the iconoclast faction in Constantinople. Constantine's position in Asia was became too strong, however, and in little over a year Artavasdus and his forces were crushed in battle near Sardes. Except for a few extremely rare gold coins, Artavasdus always associated his son Nicephorus on the coinage, and was clearly intent on founding a new dynasty. Artavasdus' aspirations ended in the Hippodrome, following his defeat, where he and his son had their eyes put out.