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View: Obverse
Tetarteron with Bust of the Virgin holding medallion of Infant Christ
Byzantine, Constantinople
Reign of Michael VII Ducas
A.D. 1071–1078
Mint: Constantinople
Medium/Technique
Gold
Dimensions
Diameter: 19 mm; Weight: 4.03 gm; Die Axis: 6
Credit Line
Edward Jackson Holmes Collection—Bequest of Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes
Accession Number65.367
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Coins
DescriptionObverse: +ΘΚΕ ROHΘ Bust of the Virgin facing, wearing tunic and maphorion, holding medallion of the Infant Christ with cross behind head, pellet in each limb. In field, MP ΘV Single border of dots
Reverse: +MIX AHΛ M A RIA Half-length figures of Michael (on l.) and Maria (on r.), facing, holding between them long cross, with terminal pellets to arms, on plain shaft. Michael wears modified loros and crown with cross and pendilia, Maria modified loros with collar-piece and crown with pinnacles and pendilia. Single border of dots
Reverse: +MIX AHΛ M A RIA Half-length figures of Michael (on l.) and Maria (on r.), facing, holding between them long cross, with terminal pellets to arms, on plain shaft. Michael wears modified loros and crown with cross and pendilia, Maria modified loros with collar-piece and crown with pinnacles and pendilia. Single border of dots
Provenance1965, bequest of Mary Stacy Beaman (Mrs. Edward Jackson) Holmes (b.1875- d.1964), Boston, MA, to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 10, 1965)