Constantine IX Monomachus, 1042-1055. Seal or Bulla (Gold, 20 mm, 4.90 g, 12 h), Imperial Chrysoboulon of the value of a Solidus. + EMMA-NOYHΛ / IC - XC Nimbate bust of Christ Pantocrator facing, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospels in left. Rev. [+CΩNS]ANT - AYTOKPAT Crowned bust of Constantine IX facing, holding labarum in right hand. Apparently unpublished. Extremely rare. Scrapes and light deposits, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Imperial bullae, or seals, were used to secure official documents, and are most commonly found in lead. However, for the most important imperial documents, gold seals or chysoboulai were used. They come in one, two, three and four solidi weights, the lightest being used for less important figures, such as the Bishop of Rome, and the heaviest for important potentates, such as the Caliph in Baghdad. All are extremely rare and of the very few known to exist, most are held by public institutions.