Constantine IX Monomachus (AD 1042-1055). AV histamenon nomisma (28mm, 4.39 gm, 5h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, brushed. Constantinople. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄϚNANTIhm, bust of Christ facing with nimbus cruciger, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, book of Gospels in left arm; triple border / +CwhSTAhT-hOS bASILЄЧS Rm, bust of Constantine IX facing, with mustache and short beard, wearing crown surmounted by pelleted cross with pendilia and loros of square pattern, globus cruciger in right hand, sword in left; flanked by two eight-pointed stars, triple border. Sear 1831. Rare. Matte, amber tones silhouette the crisp details. From the Kestenband Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk, private sale with old dealer's tag included. The large stars which appear in the reverse fields flanking the Emperor's image, and on his breastplate, have been explained as a reference to the great supernova of July, AD 1054, an event recorded by Chinese and Japanese astronomers. The spectacular stellar explosion created the Crab Nebula, which can still be seen in the constellation Taurus, as well as the rapidly rotating neutron star, or pulsar, at its center. This theory has been challenged, but no other convincing explanation has been put forth for the stellar decorations on this rare issue. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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