Lot 3236

Description

Isaac II, (1185-1195), gold hyperpyron (scyphate), Constantinople mint, (4.290 grams), obv. The Virgin Mary enthroned facing, wearing nimbus, holds infant Christ facing, MP monogram to left and **QU* to right, rev. facing half length figures of the Archangel Michael nimbate on right and Isaac to left, holding between them sword in sheath, emperor hold 'labarum' legend to left I/CA/A/KI/OC, and above X/AP, to right X/MI, (S.2000, Hendy Pl.20, 1, BMC 1-2, R.-). Nearly extremely fine/extremely fine and rarest type for this ruler.

The issue is similar to the next except this coin has Isaac holding a labarum and the next coin with a cruciform sceptre and it also has the 'manus Dei' crowning Isaac II.