Constantine VIII, 1025-1028. Tetarteron (Gold, 19 mm, 4.09 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis. +IҺS XIS 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. +CωnSτAnτIn ЬASILЄЧS Rωm Crowned facing half-length bust of Constantine VIII, wearing crown with pendilia, long beard, and jeweled loros, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and akakia in his left. DOC 4. SB 1817. Very rare and unusually attractive, with a beautiful obverse. Minor scrape on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.



Constantine VIII, the younger brother of Basil II, ruled as sole emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 1025 to 1028. For decades he had been nominally co-emperor, while real power remained in the hands of his more energetic brother. As sole ruler, Constantine showed little interest in government, leaving much of the administration to court officials, while he himself was remembered for his fondness for pleasure, hunting, and luxury. His short reign was nevertheless dynastically important, since he left no male heir and the continuation of the Macedonian dynasty depended on his daughters, Zoe and Theodora. Shortly before his death, he arranged the marriage of Zoe to Romanos Argyros, who succeeded him as Romanos III.