Gold Solidus - Eastern Rome/Byzantine, c. 913-959 AD
Constantine VII & Romanus I
Obv: Facing bust of haloed Christ, holding Book of Gospels (Christ Pantocrator)
Rev: Facing busts of Constantine (left) & Romanus (right) with patriarchal cross between them
Constantinople Mint, struck 950-955
Sear-B1751 - 18mm, 4.45gm
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" (that is, born in the imperial bed chambers), was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959. He was the son of the emperor Leo VI and his fourth wife, Zoe Karbonopsina, and the nephew of his predecessor, the emperor Alexander.
Most of his reign was dominated by co-regents: from 913 until 919 he was under the regency of his mother, while from 920 until 945 he shared the throne with Romanos Lekapenos, whose daughter Helena he married, and his sons. Constantine VII is best known for his four books, De Administrando Imperio, De Ceremoniis, De Thematibus, and Vita Basilii.
A Striking Portrait of Christ!
