Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII. 976-1025. AR Miliaresion (23mm, 2.14 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 989. Good VF.

Electronic Auction 576
Lot: 771.
Closing Date: Dec 4 2024 10:00 ET

Byzantine, Silver

Estimate: $ 750

BID NOW

Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII. 976-1025. AR Miliaresion (23mm, 2.14 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 989. Nimbate facing half-length bust of the Theotokos, wearing tunic and maphorion, holding nimbate facing bust of the Holy Infant / Legend in five lines. DOC 19; SB 1809. Toned, light horn silver, slightly clipped. Good VF. Rare. An excellent example of this difficult and desirable issue.

Grierson places this rare issue as a commemorative struck on the occasion of Basil’s triumph over Bardas Phocas at the battle of Abydos in 989. The invocative legend on the obverse reads, “O Theotokos aid the emperors” and on the reverse, “Mother of God, fully of glory, he who puts his trust in thee will never fail in his undertakings.”

Closing Date and Time: 4 December 2024 at 14:16:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.