Theodora, Sole Reign (AD 1055-1056). AV tetarteron nomisma (18mm, 4.02 gm, 5h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 4/5. Constantinople. IC-XC, bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger with two pellets in each limb, pallium and colobium, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left / + ΘЄOΔW-AVΓOC, facing half-length bust of Theodora, wearing saccos, loros, and jeweled crown surmounted by cross and four pinnacles, with pendilia, globus cruciger in left hand, jeweled scepter in right. Sear 1838. DOC 2.8. Rare. Struck on broad, medallic flan. Theodora was one of two daughters born to the Emperor Constantine VIII (AD 1025-1028). Unlike her sister Zoe, whom she detested, Theodora was bookish and solitary, preferring the life of the convent to the company of men. She was not above involving herself in the imperial family's intrigues, however, and in AD 1042, she briefly reigned as co-Empress with Zoe. However, the sisters could not agree on anything and Zoe was hastily married off to the aristocrat Constantine Monomachus, who accepted the throne as Constantine IX. Having outlasted all other members of the Macedonian dynasty, Theodora accepted the purple as sole ruler after the death of Constantine IX, in January AD 1055. On the whole she ruled with frugality, caution, and competence, but her micro-management of affairs earned criticism. After 18 months on the throne, she fell seriously ill and chose for her successor the highly unsuitable civil servant Michael VI Bringas. Her death, in August AD 1056, brought the 187-year run of the Macedonian dynasty to a close.

HID09801242017

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