Romanus IV Diogenes, with Eudocia, Michael VII, Constantius, and Andronicus. 1068-1071. AV Histamenon Nomisma (25.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 727. Estimated: $ 500

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 1 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Romanus IV Diogenes, with Eudocia, Michael VII, Constantius, and Andronicus. 1068-1071. AV Histamenon Nomisma (25.5mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing figures of Michael, holding labarum and akakia, flanked by Constantius and Andronicus, both holding globus cruciger and akakia; each ruler wearing loros and standing on double linear and pelleted base / Christ standing facing on suppedion, crowning Romanus to right and Eudocia to left, both wearing loros and holding globus cruciger. DOC 2; SB 1861. Toned. Near EF.

From the Best Collection of Byzantine Coins. Ex Glenn W. Woods inventory 01677 (19 April 2003).

A distinguished general from Cappadocia, Romanus IV was backed by the military caste against the aristocratic civilian faction that had driven the Empire close to ruin. In January 1068 he compelled the Empress Eudocia, widow of Constantine X, to marry him, and thus secured the throne. From the beginning, he saw his main task as reversing the advance of the Seljuq Turks, who were raiding Asia Minor at will. Over several years, he rebuilt the depleted Byzantine field army with mercenaries and raw recruits. In 1071 he led 40,000 men on a grand campaign into eastern Anatolia, where, almost by accident, he encountered a smaller force led by the brilliant Seljuq Sultan Arp Aslan. In the resulting battle of Manzikert, the polyglot Byzantine army disintegrated and the Seljuqs captured Romanus on the field. Arp Aslan treated him with civility and released him, but the aristocratic faction at Constantinople deposed and blinded him.

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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