★ An attractive histamenon of Basil II Bulgaroktonos ★

Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII, 976-1025. Histamenon (Gold, 26 mm, 4.41 g, 7 h), Constantinopolis, circa 1005-1025. +IҺS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing tunic and pallium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left; in each upper quarter of nimbus, crescent. Rev. +bASIL C COҺSTAҺTI b R Crowned half-length busts of Basil, bearded, wearing crown with pendilia and loros, and Constantine, beardless, wearing crown with pendilia and chlamys, holding long and plain cross between them. DOC 6a. SB 1800. Minor graffito on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.