Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1779. Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Estimate $2500 Sold For $3000  
 
CONSTANTINE IX, Monomachus. 1042-1055. AV Histamenon Nomisma (4.41 gm). Constantinople mint. Nimbate facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Facing bust of Constantine, wearing crown and jewelled chlamys, holding cross on globe and sword; two stars flanking crown. DOC III 4a; SB 1831. Lightly toned EF. ($2500)

The popular theory that the stars represent the supernova of 1054 has 
never found substantiation in the European historical record. In 
addition, newly discovered histamena of Alexius I also have twin stars 
flanking the portrait (cf. Triton V, lot 2310) when no astronomical 
phenomena are recorded. 

The stars obviously reflect contemporary events of great significance, 
since they appear only on one specific issue. There is also a change in 
the imperial portrait: Constantine holds a sword, not the usual sceptre. And then there is an obvious change in the form of the coin 
itself, being found with both flat and concave ("scyphate") fabrics. 
This probably reflects a shift in weight and/or fineness sometime in 
the 1040s. If the star issue was transitional, it would have to have 
been struck in the mid-1040s, leaving no basis for the traditional 1054 
date. However, early in 1043, a hard-fought battle in Thrace saw the 
death of the renowned general George Maniakes and the defeat of his 
forces. In the same year, the Russian prince Jaroslav beseiged Constantinople which ended with the almost complete destruction of the 
Russian fleet. Perhaps the costs of these two conflicts necessitated a 
reduction in the value of the currency, marked by the change from flat to curved flans. The "stellati" would thus commemorate the twin 
victories of 1043, with Constantine depicted as a victorious soldier-
emperor, defender of the Empire, sword in hand, flanked by symbols of 
his God-given successes.