Lot 4810

Description

Nicephorus II Phocas (AD 963-969), with Basil II, gold histamenon nomisma (4.09 g), Constantinople mint, issued 965-969, obv. around + IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM, bust of Christ Pantocrator facing, wearing cruciform nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, and holding book of Gospels cradled in left arm, rev. around + **Q*EOTOC' B' H**Q* hICHF DESP', facing busts of the Virgin, nimbate on left and Nicephorus (on right), wearing short beard and holding between them the patriarchal cross, the Virgin dividing M and **Q*, the emperor wearing crown and loros. (S.1778, DOC 4, B.N. 5-10, BMC 3-5, R. 1912). Good very fine and rare.

One of the greatest generals of his age, Nicephorus Phocas led the Armada that reclaimed Crete for Byzantium after 130 years of Arab rule. He followed up by annexing Cyprus and capturing Aleppo. These stupendous victories led the army, following the death of Romanus II in March AD 963, to acclaim Nicephorus as Emperor. Returning to Constantinople, he married Theophano, the widow of Romanus II, and proclaimed himself protector of her two young sons Basil II and Constantine VIII, who became subordinate Emperors. Nicephorus continued the offensive against the Caliphate, which fell back on all fronts before the disciplined Byzantine forces. Theophano, however, found him physically repulsive, remote and austere, and sought refuge in the arms of a dashing soldier, John Tzimisces. Together they plotted and carried out the murder of Nicephorus in December of AD 969. It is during this reign that the term "solidus" is replaced by "histamenon nomisma" as a name for the standard Byzantine gold coin.