Theodore I Comnenus Ducas (Empire of Thessalonica), 1224 AD – 1230 AD

Trachy, Thessalonica circa 1224-1225 AD, AR 30 mm, 1.74 g. MHP ΘV HAΓIOCOPITICA Full-length figure of Theotokos Hagiosoritissa, nimbate, in orans, wearing tunic and maphorion. Rev. ΘЄOΔωPOC ΔЄΠ O AΓIOC ΔIMITPIOC Full-length figures of emperor and St. Demetrius; Emperor, bearded, wearing divitision, loros, maniakion, and stemma with pendilia, r. hand resting on chest and l. hand accepting the outstretched city of Thessalonica; St. Demetrius, nimbate, beardless, wearing body armour with pteryges, chiton, and Sagion, both hands outstretched, offering the city of Thessalonica to the emperor; Manus Dei blesses emperor in upper field. Sear 2159. LBC 321-2. DOC 2. CLBC 12.1.2.
Rare. Flan cracked, otherwise good very fine / about extremely fine

Theodore I Comnenus Ducas presents as one of the great tragic figures in Byzantine history. A brilliant strategist who transformed his patrimony from a backwards group of second-rate exiled nobles in the Macedonian and Thessalian countryside into a dominant player in early 13th century Greek politics, this emperor had serious skill and momentum going into the campaign season of 1230 when brilliance turned into farce.
Inheriting a small fiefdom in 1215, Theodore developed his state and military to the point where he could venture on the offensive against the Latins. In a series of victories, Theodore retook Thessalonica and destroyed the Latin kingdom based there. He subsequently had himself crowned as rival emperor to his confusingly named counterpart in Nicaea. With the second city of the empire retaken, the obvious move was to march on Constantinople itself. This Theodore did in 1230 but provoking the Tzar, he turned towards Bulgaria.
Here the statesman made his first and last serious blunder. After a decade or more of spectacular success, Theodore’s army was crushed before his eyes. It was the last sight Theodore would ever see. Captured alive by the Bulgarian Tzar, Theodore’s eyes were put out and so too was the shining light of the Thessalonican empire extinguished. Soon to be relegated as a despotate, the heirs of Theodore were but nuisances to the rulers in Nicaea until they were no longer even that. Not with a bang but a slow, painful whimper did Epirus disappear.
Returning to happier days, the emperor Theodore issued this magnificent piece celebrating his capture and return of Thessalonica to the Byzantine fold. In a richly bejewelled divitsion and loros, the emperor Theodore demonstrates the wealth and power of his newly founded empire. Calling upon divine aid from the patron saint of Thessalonica, the dashing and ever popular St. Demetrius presents his beloved city to the custodianship of his beloved emperor. The finely engraved details of St. Demetrius’s military garb will leave both art connoisseurs and military bluffs alike impressed. Eye catching (for all but Theodore, perhaps) is the model city of Thessalonica at the centre of the composition. Every element draws attention towards it and it is here in this city that Theodore celebrated his crowning triumph in a short but brilliant career.