★ An unusually sharp and fresh aspron trachy of Manuel I Comnenus ★

Manuel I Comnenus, 1143-1180. Aspron Trachy (Electrum, 32 mm, 4.41 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, circa 1152-1167. Christ seated facing on throne without back, wearing pallium and colobium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left; in fields, IC - XC. Rev. [MAN૪HΛ] ΔЄCΠΟTH / M - ΘV Manuel standing facing on the left, wearing crown, divitision and jewelled loros, holding akakia in his right hand and patriarchal cross in his left together with Virgin Mary standing facing on the right, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium and raising her left hand in benediction. DOC 2b. SB 1958. An unusually sharp and fresh example. Minor graffiti and with light doubling, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From the collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021, with collector’s ticket), received as a Christmas present in 1982 and privately acquired from B. Schulte (Münzen & Medaillen AG) at the Zürich coin fair on 23 October 1982.