47. 1071 - 1078 AD Byzantine - Histamenon - Sear #1868 Start Price USD 99.99 Current Price USD 212.50 Time Left - Bid Count 10 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, June 30, 2008 End Time Monday, July 07, 2008 Location Angier, NC See more about '47. 1071 - 1078 AD Byzantine - Histamenon - Sear #1868' Description 47. 1071 - 1078 AD Byzantine - Histamenon - Sear # 1868 - Gold 0.14 Oz. Byzantine MICHAEL VII. 1071-1078 AD. Gold Histamenon Nomisma (4.40 gm). Constantinople mint. Constantinople mint. IC XC, nimbate facing bust of Christ, holding Gospels / MIXAHL RACIL O D, crowned facing bust of Michael holding labarum and globus cruciger; NO pellet on labarum shaft. This coin was intentionally struck in a cup shape known as a "scyphate". These cup shaped coins are sometimes poorly struck struck up. This coin, however, is rather well struck on both sides but the face of Christ the exposed high point shows wear. There is some very old graffiti in the margin on the side with the King’s portrait - see the last picture. Otherwise the coin is well preserved. This coin appears on the Wildwinds site in several different examples with prices for a comparable copy bringing over $260 in 2001. There are two styles - with and without the Bead on the Labarum shaft. I reviewed 13 examples in Wildwinds and only TWO did not have the bead. These two coins sold for considerably more than the examples with the bead. Please judge the rarity for yourself. You decide how you would grade and evaluate this coin. If you want additional pictures, I will try my best to do better. This coin comes in the original flip with the attribution from the owner dated 1984. I have included a picture of the original holder. I will start the coin at the highest price offered by a local dealer and if it does not sell I will return it to the owner. NOTE:  All auctions won by US bidders within a 5 Day period will be shipped for ONE Shipping fee - $3.50 up to $50 total value and $4.50 over $50.  So bid on as many coins as you want and pay only ONE SHIPPING FEE.  Check out my other items! Insurance is automatically included on all shipments to US addresses over $20. Below that value delivery confirmation or certification will be used to track and confirm delivery.   Condition is a matter of opinion - I am stating my best estimate of condition. Please look at the pictures and decide for yourself. If you want more pictures, I can try again just send me your email address. This coin is real. Those of you who know me - know I collect contemporary counterfeit coins that circulated in the US before 1857. Over my 50 years of collecting I have specialized in the identification of forgeries.  I do NOT sell counterfeits - I collect them.  This coin is NOT a counterfeit. The coins I will be listing came from the collection of a late friend.  I will be selling them in small groups.  I have checked the attributions to the best of my ability and I believe they are accurate. I have included a picture of the original holder with his attributions for your review where it is available. Some coins were placed in new holders by his widow or by some other party.  Please ask any questions before you bid.  Shipping for buyers in the US will be by US mail First Class and will be $ 3.50 to US locations. Insurance is MANDATORY above $20 in package value and is included in the shipping price for the first $50 in value. Values over $50 will be shipped by US mail First Class insured for $5.50.  Expedited delivery using USPS Priority Mail will be $5.50 including insurance for the first $50 in package value and $6.50 over $50 in package value.   All other countries will have to be shipped registered and US Postal rates will apply. Typically these costs will run between $16 and $18. I do not set the rates. Please do not bid if you live outside the US and do not want to comply.   Payment is expected within 7 days of the date of close. Auctions may be combined within a 5 day period of time at no increase in the rate charged for shipping. Insurance will be based on total package value.  PayPal is preferred but I will also accept Cashiers Checks and US Postal Money Orders.  I will only ship to PayPal confirmed addresses if PayPal is used.    Place a Bid!