Constantine IX Monomachus, 1042-1055. Tetarteron (Subaeratus, 20 mm, 4.01 g, 6 h), a contemporary plated imitation. Irregular mint. +IS XIS RЄ RЄGNANm Bust of Christ facing with cross-nimbus, wearing tunic and himation, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. +CⲰAҺT bASIL R m Bust of Constantine IX facing, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, holding labarum in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left. Cf. DOC 6 and SB 1833 (for prototype). Highly unusual as a subearatus. Minor breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.


What sets this plated piece apart is its unusually high weight. Fourrées typically betray themselves by being light, yet at 4.01 g this example sits comfortably within the range of solid-gold teartera. A large flan allowed the forgers to circumvent the usual weight shortfall.