★ A very rare follis of Theodore Gabras ★

Theodore Gabras, Duke of Trebizond, circa late 1080s-1098. Follis (Bronze, 21 mm, 4.25 g). O-A (in monogram form) Θ[...]ΟΔ[...] Bust of St. Theodore facing, nimbate, wearing tuniv, breast plate and sagion, holding sword in his right hand and shield in his left. Rev. Small latin cross with pellets at the end of each arm. Bendall: The mint of Trebizond under Alexius I and the Gabrades, in: NC 137 (1977), pl. 6, issue 10. Very rare. Traces of overstriking, otherwise, about very fine.

From the collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021, with collector’s ticket), ex Elsen 143, 7 December 2019, 649.

Theodore Gabras was a Byzantine general who recaptured the city of Trebizond from the Seljuks in the 1080s. Granted the title 'Duke of Trebizond' by Alexius I, Gabras would successfully continue fighting the Turks, but he was eventually captured and martyred by the Danishmendids in 1099. He was later canonized by the Orthodox Church, with his feast day being 2 October.