NICEPHORUS II Phocas. 963-969 AD. AV Histamenon 
Nomisma (4.35 gm, 6h). Constantinople mint. Facing 
bust of Christ; two pellets in arms of nimbate 
cross / Facing busts of the Virgin and Nicephorus, 
holding patriarchal cross between. DOC III 4; SB 
1778. Good VF. ($500)

Nicephorus II introduced the first change in the 
Romano-Byzantine gold coinage system since the 
introduction of the solidus by Constantine over 
600 years before. He produced two gold coins of 
identical type: the traditional solidus, now 
termed the histamenon and the tetarteron 
("tetartron"-less a "quarter" of a tremissis in weight). 
Taxes had to be paid in histamena, disbursements were paid in 
tetartera. The confusion forced a change in the types of the 
tetarteron, which however remained in use until Alexius I 
reformed the coinage again in 1092.

$600.00
Aug-09-01
Seller hjbcoins, Harlan J. Berk.