A Byzantine Zoe and Theodora histamenon nomisma headlined Heritage Auctions' Long Beach Expo World Coins Signature Auction on September 3-10, achieving $223,250.
The piece was issued between April and June of AD 1042 and depicts Constantine VIII's two daughters, who ruled Byzantium for just over seven weeks in a haze of resentment and bitter rivalry.
 The coin was issued between April and June of AD 1042 |
The sisters came to power after the deposition of Michael V, who took to the throne along with Zoe on a technicality in December 1041.
Michael's decision to force Zoe into exile in April 1042 resulted in an angry mob surrounding the palace at Constantinople. He was swiftly deposed, blinded, castrated and lived out the rest of his days in a monastery.
After the sisters proved incapable of cooperating, Zoe's husband Monomachus became Constantine IX in June 1042 and went on to prove himself entirely useless.
The coin is among the rarest and most desirable examples from the Byzantine era, due to the shortness of its production time and the unprecedented circumstances surrounding it.
A solidus of Michael III (aka the Drunkard), minted in Constantinople in circa AD 856-866, achieved $70,500.
He received his nickname after his murder by Basil I (the Macedonian), who took to the throne and besmirched his legacy. In reality, Michael was a strong ruler who made headway in consolidating the power of the empire.
We have an extraordinary selection of coins, click here to take a look.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about rare coin auctions.
