2020-01-10 Fri

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, John I strengthened the empire by coupling diplomatic skill with military strength.

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 Histmanon Nomisma was issued under his reign from Constantinople mint. The obverse of a coin depicts facing bust of Christ, with decorated nimbus, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding Book of Gospels in left. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved facing busts of the Virgin, nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorium, MO above her head, crowning John, with short beard, on left, wearing loros, and holding long plain cross; above, Manus Dei reaching down from above toward John's head.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions