2019-11-12 Tue

Zoe Porphyrogenita was Byzantine Empress reigning from 1028 until her death in 1050. Today on this day in the year 1028, Zoe takes the throne as empress consort to Romanos III Argyros.

Zoe was born to Constantine VIII and Helena. She ruled alongside her three husbands, she adopted son Michael V, and her sister Theodora.

The above-shown coin is Byzantine Gold Histamenon Nomisma Struck under the joint reign of Zoe and Theodora at Constantinople mint. The coin depicts busts of Zoe and Theodora, both crowned with pendants and wearing SACCOs and loros, supporting and holding together a labarum in the obverse. The reverse depicts a veiled bust of the Virgin Mary wearing pallium and maphorium which is decorated on both shoulders with four pearls. Bust of the young Christ with a cruciform nimbus over chest.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions