Nicephorus III | AE Follis

Reference: SB 1889
Date: 1078-1081 CE
Obverse: IC-XC; nimbate facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels; pellets in nimbus
Reverse: Latin cross with X at center, and globule and two pellets at each extremity; in lower field, on either side, floral ornaments; in upper field, on either side, crescent
Mint: Constantinople
Size: 25.5 mm
Weight: 4.16 grams

CHRIST ON A COIN. Patina stripped by overzealous cleaning, priced accordingly.  

As emperor, Nikephoros faced numerous revolts, including those of Nikephoros Bryennios, Nikephoros Basilakes, and Constantine Doukas, as well as an attempted assassination by the Varangian Guard. Nikephoros embraced the trappings of an emperor, performing many acts to increase his legitimacy and support, such as spending large amounts on donatives for the army and his supporters, forgiving all debt in arrears, and instituting minor legal reforms. Diplomatically, Nikephoros secured the submission of Theodore Gabras and Philaretos Brachamios, governors of Trebizond and Antioch, respectively, who had become de facto independent of the Byzantine Empire due to the constant incursions of the Seljuks into Byzantine Anatolia. A general of Nikephoros, Alexios I Komnenos, ultimately betrayed and overthrew Nikephoros. After abdicating, Nikephoros became a monk and lived out the rest of his limited days in a monastery.



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