Ancient Coins

Romanus II (959-960), Romanus II with Constantine VII (959-963), Solidus, c. 959 [continuing the last type of Constantine VII], bust of Christ with nimbus cruciger, holding codex, +ihs xp rex regnantinm, rev. crowned facing busts of Constantine and Romanus, holding long patriarchal cross between them, illegible re-cut legend, 4.38g/6h (Füeg 3.A.1; DOC –; Sear –). Extremely fine and very rare (£1,200-1,500)

This issue has been placed by Füeg to the early days of the sole reign of Romanus II, who succeeded his father after a reign of 46 years. The coin employs re-used solidus dies of Constantine VII but with the reverse legend obliterated by re-engraving