Ancient Gold

Lot 2606       Ancient Gold

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,600

CONSTANTINE VII AND ROMANUS II, (A.D.913-959), gold solidus, Constantinople mint, issued from A.D. 945, (4.375 grams), obv. Christ enthroned facing wearing nimbus, raising right hand in benediction, also holding Gospels, the throne has curved ornamented pearl arms, + IhS XPS REX REgNANTIUm around, rev. CONSTANT CE ROMAN AVGG bR around, facing busts of Constantine VII wearing loros on left and Romanus II wearing chlamys on right, both crowned, between them long patriarchal cross, (S.1750, [1000 pounds VF], R.-, D.O.14, BMC.9). Weakly struck on faces of Christ and Romanus, otherwise good very fine and very rare.

Ex. Hugh George Goodacre (1865-1952) Collection, Christie, Manson & Woods, April 22, 1986, (lot 253), where it is illustrated. $$ This type are usually attributed to Constantine VII and Romanus I, but Morrisson on stylistic grounds suggests the later date which seems preferable. This specimen sold for Å“388 in the Goodacre sale. The most recent sale of the same type was the Conte specimen (EF) which realised Å“1100 in Baldwins Sale No.2 (lot 124).