John I Comnenus Ducas (Empire of Thessalonica), 1237 – 1242 AD (Despotate of Thessalonica), 1242 – 1244 AD

Trachy, Thessalonica circa 1237-1242 AD, Æ 19 mm, 1.14 g. . O ΘЄOΔωPOC Full-length figure of St. Theodore, nimbate, bearded, wearing body armour with pteryges, chiton, and Sagion, r. hand holding spear and l. resting on shield. Rev. Iω ΔЄCΠOCTH O AΓIOC ΔIMITPIOC Full-length figures of emperor and St. Demetrius, beardless; Emperor, wearing divitision, loros, maniakion, and stemma with pendilia, r. hand holding labarum and l. akakia; St. Demetrius, nimbate, wearing body armour with pteryges, chiton, and Sagion, r. hand outstretched to crown the emperor and l. holding sword downwards. Sear 2188 (incorrectly described). LBC 368-71. DOC 2. CLBC 14.2.2.
Rare. Dark green-grey patina and fine / very fine

While John Comnenus Ducas was a rather ineffective ruler who managed the ignoble distinction of being demoted from emperor to despot by his rival, John Comnenus Ducas also holds the notable distinction of minting an exceptional amount of coin types during his brief tenure on the throne. His reign saw a flurry of activity at the mint, where in under five years he minted over thirty distinct types.