JOHN I "May Jesus Christ Conquer" Ancient Byzantine Silver Coin Constantinople

Description

Right Click on image and select "View/open image..." to see large hi-resolution image.
Byzantine Empire
JOHN I
969-976 AD
Silver Miliaresion Coin
21mm 2.34gm
Constantinople mint. Struck c. 969-976 AD
Obverse: + IҺSЧS XRISTЧS NICA ✷ (
May Jesus Christ Conquer
in Greek) Cross crosslet set on globus above two steps; in central medallion, crowned bust of John facing flanked by; I/W-A/N (= John I).
Reverse: + IWAҺҺ / ЄҺ Xω AVTO / CRAT ЄVSЄЬ / ЬASILЄVS / RωMAIω (
John by the grace of Christ Autocrator and pious King of the Romans
in Greek
)
. Legend in five lines.
Ref. DOC 7b; Sear 1792; BMC 5-6. aVF.
John I Tzimisces, (born 925—died Jan. 10, 976, Constantinople), Byzantine emperor (969–976) whose extension of Byzantine influence into the Balkans and Syria and maintenance of domestic tranquillity assured the prestige and stability of the empire for his immediate successors.
Descended from an aristocratic family, John was related through his mother to the general, and later emperor, Nicephorus II Phocas. He entered the imperial army and fought with Nicephorus against the Arabs in Cilicia and Syria. Having helped Nicephorus gain the throne, he was rewarded with the supreme command of Byzantine forces in the East. His ambition for the throne later led him into the conspiracy with his mistress, Theophano (the Emperor’s wife), that led to the assassination of Nicephorus in December 969. Forced to do penance by Polyeuctus, patriarch of Constantinople, in order to receive the imperial crown, John banished Theophano to a convent and punished the murderers.
John I strengthened the empire by coupling diplomatic skill with military strength. In 970 he married Theodora, sister of Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, the legitimate claimant to the throne, to offset challenges to his rule at home. When the Bulgars attacked the empire in 971, he led his forces against their capital, captured their tsar, and forced them to recognize Byzantine suzerainty. In July 971 he defeated the Russian prince Svyatoslav, ending threats to Byzantine rule in the north. To preserve the Byzantine position in the West, he arranged a marriage between one of his relatives and the future Holy Roman emperor Otto II. Turning to the East, he reduced the Fāṭimid strength around Antioch in 974–975, taking Antioch, Damascus, and other cities in Syria. Before he could retake Jerusalem he died, probably of typhoid. (encyclopedia Britannica).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OUR GUARANTEE:
All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item
ever
shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping.
Additionally, if any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions.
All images, description © Copyright 2016-2017 ZEUS GALLERY eBay ID zeus_gallery and may not be used without permission.