John I Tzimisces, 11 December 969 – 11 January 976

Histamenon 969–976, AV 20 mm, 4.04 g. +IhS XIS ReX ReGNANTIhM Facing bust of Christ, with decorated nimbus, wearing pallium and colobium, raising r. hand in benediction and holding Book of Gospels in l. Rev. + ΘEOTOC bOHΘ'IωdESp Facing busts of Virgin, nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, M – Θ above her head, crowning John, with short beard, on l., wearing crown and loros, and holding long patriarchal cross; above, John's head, Manus Dei. DO 3 and pl. XLII, 3.2. Sear 1785.
Traces of edge filing, otherwise very fine

From the collection of a Mentor.