Basil II Bulgaroktonos, with Constantine VIII, 976-1025. Histamenon (Gold, 24 mm, 4.42 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 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 with •-• on the shaft. DOC 2k. SB 1796. A very rare variety. Beautifully preserved and of particularly fine style. Some nicks and with a few light scratches, otherwise, about extremely fine.