★ Very rare! ★

ROMANUS III ARGYRUS, 1028-1034 AD. AR, Miliaresion. Constantinople.
Obv: + ΠΑΡ[Θ]ЄΝЄ CΟΙ ΠΟΛVΑΙΝ[Є].
The Theotokos Hodegetria standing facing on dais, holding Holy Infant; triple linear circular border with eight spaced pellets; M and Θ, each with macron above, across field.
Rev: ΟC ΗΛΠΙΚЄ ΠΑΝ[ΤΑ] ΚΑΤΟPΘΟΙ.
Romanus, crowned and wearing loros, standing facing on dais, holding long patriarchal cross and patriarchal cross on globus; triple linear circular border with eight spaced pellets.
Sear 1822.
Very rare!
Condition: VF.
Weight: 2.15 g.
Diameter: 21.45 mm.
The aristocrat Romanos Argyros, married to Zoe, Constantine VIII’s daughter, was oikonomos of St. Sophia and Eparch of Constantinople, and was demonstrably not a ruler of Basil’s caliber. Romanos had no military experience, but as a member of the civil aristocracy who had held a number of high bureaucratic posts, could have been expected to be an effective administrator.