Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII, 976-1025. Histamenon (Gold, 24 mm, 4.40 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, 977-989. +IҺS XIS RЄX RЄGNANTIҺm Nimbate bust of Christ facing, wearing tunic and pallium, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. + bASIL C COҺSTAҺTI b R m Crowned facing half-length busts of Basil II, with short-beard, wearing loros on the left, and Constantine VIII, beardless, wearing chlamys on the right, holding between them long patriarchial cross. DOC 3b var. (ornament in nimbus). Füeg 13.B (tetarteron). SB 1797. A very rare variety. Struck from somewhat worn dies, otherwise, good very fine.