Nicephorus II Phocas, with Basil II, 963-969. Histamenon (Gold, 21 mm, 4.45 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, 963-969. +IҺS XPS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing tunic and pallium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. ҺICHFOP CЄ ΒΑSIL AЧςς b R’ Crowned facing busts of Nicephorus II, bearded and wearing loros on the left, and Basil II, beardless and wearing chlamys on the right; both holding, between them with their right hands, a long patriarchal cross with three pellets. DOC 4. SB 1778. Struck from a worn obverse die and with some doubling on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.