John II Comnenus AD 1118-1143. Constantinople
Hyperpyron AV

28 mm, 4,38 g

Christ, nimbate, 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. / +Iω ΔЄCΠΟTH John II standing facing on the left, wearing loros, holding akakia in his right hand and patriarchal cross together with Virgin Mary, standing facing on the right, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium; above the head of the emperor, manus Dei; above the head of the Virgin, ΘV; in field to right, MP.

Grafitto, some areas of weaknesses, otherwise, Good Very Fine.

Sear 1938.

John II Comnenos, a member of the influential Byzantine Komnenos dynasty, ascended to the throne as the eldest son of Emperor Alexios I and Empress Irene Doukaina. He was also known as "Kaloioannes" (John the Beautiful). Despite facing intrigue from his sister Anna Komnena, who sought to secure the throne for her husband, John managed to assert his authority and rewarded his supporters with important positions. John's reign earned him the nickname "Byzantine Marcus Aurelius" due to his just and benevolent governance. He focused on restoring the Byzantine Empire to its former glory before the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. John achieved victories against invading enemies, including the Pechenegs, Hungarians, and rebellious Serbs, securing peace in Europe. He also aimed to reclaim lost territories in Asia and succeeded in pushing back the Seljuks. However, his attempts to extend Byzantine influence over neighboring regions, such as Kilikia and the Crusader states, were met with mixed results. He formed alliances with German kings to counter the Normans in Sicily. Though his financial policies were generally successful, John faced a significant setback in his confrontation with the powerful Republic of Venice, which relied on Byzantium's naval support. After his death from a hunting injury, his son Manuel I Komnenos succeeded him as emperor, carrying on the legacy of the illustrious Komnenos dynasty.