CONSTANTINE VIII GOLD HISTAMENON – ICON-LIKE PORTRAIT OF JESUS CHRIST – MINT STATE NGC GRADED BYZANTINE COIN (Inv. 20236)

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20236. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE VIII, AD 1025–1028.
Gold Histamenon Nomisma, 4.41 g, 25 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. +IhS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of bearded Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. +CωNSτANτIN bASILЄЧS ROm, bearded bust of Constantine VIII, facing, holding labarum and akakia.
Sear 1815.
NGC graded MINT STATE, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, with a finely engraved portrait of Christ, truly majestic and very much like the images on Orthodox icons.