Alexius I Comnenus, 1081-1118. Aspron Trachy (Electrum, 30 mm, 4.33 g, 6 h), pre-reform coinage, Constantinopolis, 1081-1092. Christ, nimbate, seated facing on throne, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left; in fields, IC - XC. Rev. +AΛΞIⲰ ΔЄCΠ[...] Bust of Alexius I Comnenus facing, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, holding akakia in his right hand and globe in his left hand; in fields to left and right, eight-pointed star; in upper field to left, manus Dei. DOC -. NAC 75 (2013), 822. SB -. Of the highest rarity, one of a very few known examples. Graffiti, otherwise, very fine.


The stars on the reverse of this issue perhaps derive from a very rare type issued by Constantine IX Monomachus around 30 years earlier. In the case of Constantine IX, they likely depicted a supernova, which, according to contemporary Japanese and Chinese astronomers, was visible in the firmament in 1054. There is no supernova noted for the reign of Alexius I Comnenus, so the stars flanking the head of the emperor might be purely decorative.