2019-06-28 Fri

Isaac Comnenus was Byzantine Emperor from 1057 to 1059 AD. He was the first reigning member of the Komnenian dynasty. Although his reign was brief, he was known for being a capable and militarily astute general and emperor. Isaac was a son of Manuel Comnenus, an officer of the Byzantine emperor Basil II. Manuel died when Isaac was still young, and he and his brother John raised under the care of Emperor Basil II.

In 1057 Isaac entered into a military plot to depose Emperor Michael VI, and in June of the year Isaac was proclaimed Emperor in Paphlagonia in Asia Minor.

The above shown gold Histamenon Nomisma was issued under his reign from Constantinople mint. the obverse of a coin depicts the Christ seated facing on backless throne, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising a right hand in benediction, a book of Gospels cradled on the left arm. The reverse of a coin represents Isaac I standing to face, wearing the crown, scale cuirass, corselet with ptryges, and military cloak, sword upright in the right hand, resting left on sheath.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions