2019-12-11 Wed

John, I Tzimiskes was the senior Byzantine Emperor reigning from 969 to 976. He was born in 925 into the Kourkouas family of Armenian origin. An intuitive and successful general, he strengthened the Empire and expanded its borders during his short reign.

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 on 11th December 969.

The above-shown miliaresion was issued under his reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin depicts the cross crosslet set upon globus on two steps, I/?-A/n flanking crowned facing bust of John I, with short beard, wearing loros, in central medallion; triple border with eight evenly spaced globules. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved legend in five lines.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions