Manuel I Comnenus, 1143-1180. Aspron Trachy (Electrum, 34mm, 4.29 g 6), Thessalonica?, or Constantinople, 1152-1160. IC XC Christ, nimbate and robed, seated facing on backless throne, his right hand raised in blessing and holding book of gospels in his left. Rev. Fragmentary inscription Manuel, standing facing on the left with a collar piece containing three jewels, and the Virgin, with three crosses on her maphorion, standing facing on the right, holding a long patriarchal cross between them. DOC 8 (or 3). SB 1973 (or 1958). A very sharp and well struck coin. Good extremely fine.

From the collection of the late Hans Gutknecht of Zürich, bought from Bank Leu.

Hendy, in DOC 4, identifies this as an issue from Thessalonica, based on what seem to be very slight stylistic variations from the normal issues struck in Constantinople. Bendall, in SB, doubts this and sees the issue as merely being a variant of the usual Constantinople type, minted in Constantinople. From looking at the coins themselves, Bendall’s doubts seem fully confirmed.