Manuel I (1143-1180AD), Electrum aspron trachy 1,93 gr, Thessalonica mint

(As SB1957 above, but very thin and deeply scyphate),
IC-XC to left and right of nimbate bust of Christ facing, 
O-EM-MA to left, NOV-HL (or similar) to right.
Mary, nimbate, on right, wearing palium with Greek crosses, 
crowning Manuel who is beardless, and wears divitision and 
loros, holding labarum and akakia; MP-QV between their heads. 
SB 1972.

This piece is half the typical weight, indicating 
that it may have been cut down.However; it seems clearly to 
be an issue of Thessalonica, as opposed to Constantinople.
Mary's palium shows perfect Greek crosses, instead of pellet quatrefoils

No other published specimens have crosses of this form.
Thus a rare variety. 

Courtesy of NB Numismatics, Belgium, Aug. 2011.

sb1972