Important Ancient Coins

BYZANTINE COINS, Romanus II and Constantine VII (959-963), Solidus, Constantinople, c. 959 [continuing the last type of Constantine VII], +ihs xp rex regnantinm, bust of Christ with nimbus cruciger, holding codex, rev. crowned facing busts of Constantine and Romanus, holding long patriarchal cross between them, illegible re-cut legend, 4.40g/6h (Füeg 3.A.1; DOC –; S –). Extremely fine and very rare
£1,500-1,800

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