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Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Tetarteron Nomisma (17mm, 4.05 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Nimbate facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing jeweled chlamys, holding scepter surmounted by trefoil and globus cruciger. DOC 5a; Füeg II 5.A.2 (this coin cited in corpus; corr. pedigree in two separate entries); SB 1832. Toned. EF.
From the Best Collection of Byzantine Coins. Ex William H. Williams Collection (Berk BBS 122, 6 September 2001), lot 104; James Fox Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 40, 4 December 1996), lot 1937; William Herbert Hunt Collection (Sotheby's New York, 5 December 1990), lot 779; Robert Myers 9 (5 December 1974), lot 396.
An amiable aristocrat with a taste for luxury, Constantine IX Monomachus married the Empress Zoe in 1042 and thus ascended the throne. He and his equally decadent wife enjoyed the extravagant life of the palace (along with his mistress, to whom he gave a special state title) and paid scant attention to affairs of state. Instead of strengthening the Empire’s defenses against the emerging Seljuq and Norman threats, he drastically cut military spending and reduced the size of the army. He was twice challenged for the throne by far more capable military men, but won both brief civil wars by happenstance. An attempt to enlist the Pope’s aid against the Normans backfired and resulted in a final schism between the Roman and Orthodox Churches in 1054. His one positive accomplishment was promoting higher learning by endowing chairs of philosophy and law at the university in Constantinople.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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