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Constantine IX Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Histamenon Nomisma (21mm, 4.41 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 1054-1055. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, holding globus cruciger and sword; two stars flanking crown. DOC 4b; Füeg II 4.B.2; SB 1831. In NGC encapsulation 6558872-004, graded MS★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Rare.
From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 723.
The meaning of the stars that appear on these rare histamena flanking the imperial bust has been a matter of much discussion. Hendy (DOC III, p. 734) suggested that they represented the 1054 appearance of SN 1054, a celestial event that was widely seen and recorded by Chinese, Japanese, and Arab astronomers, as well as the Mimbres and Anasazi in North America. Visible even in daylight from when it first appeared in the constellation of Taurus on 4 July 1054 until it faded in April 1056, Grierson (DOC III, p. 736) concluded that the supernova could not have escaped the notice of anyone interested in astronomy and "may conceivably have found its way onto the coins [since] the dates, at all events, seem to agree."
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 123 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 23-24 May 2023. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 24 May 2023 at 9 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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