Experts in Coins & Medals

Theodora, 1055-1056. Histamenon nomisma (Gold, 26 mm, 4.43 g, 6 h), Constantinople. + IhS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm Christ Pantokrator, standing facing on dais, wearing nimbus cruciger with pellet in each arm, pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels with his left. Rev. + ΘЄOΔωPA AVΓOVCT / (M - Θ) Theodora, on the left, her right hand on her breast, wearing a crown with pendilia, and ornate robes, and, on the right, the Virgin Mary, nimbate, her left hand raised in benediction, and wearing ornate robes, both standing facing, holding between them a labarum with a pellet on the shaft and at the base. DOC 1a. SB 1837. Rare; well-struck and attractive. Extremely fine.

TABARISTAN. 'Abbasid governors. Hani, 788-790. Hemidrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 1.99 g, 3 h), TPWRSTAN (Tabaristan) mint, PYE 138 = 788. Draped Sasanian-style bust to right, wearing crown surmounted by star-in-crescent and wings; behind head, 'GDE / ʾp̄zwt' ('[may his] glory increase' in Pahlavi); before head, 'Hani' in Arabic; in the outer margin to left and right, 'nywk' ˗ ʾp̄d' ('good ˗ wonderful' in Pahlavi). Rev. Fire altar, flanked by two attendants; above altar, star and crescent; to left, date in Pahlavi; to right, mint name in Pahlavi. Album 69. SICA I, 437-440. Lightly toned. Die breaks on reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.