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Up for auction is a Byzantine Tetarteron coin of Manuel I from 1143-1180 AD
Diameter: 18mm
ID#196M
MINT: Thessalonica
OBVERSE; IC-XC
- Cross with X at centre set on three steps.
REVERSE; MANHΛ ΔЄCΠ-T
- Facing bust of Manuel, holding globus cruciger and labarum.
Reference: Sear 1976
Manuel I Comenus
1143-1180
The son of John II and grandson of Alexius I, Manuel was made emperor while his father was on his deathbed. John had led a formidable army towards Latin-held Antioch with the purpose of retaking this city, had just begun its siege and settled in for a protracted affair. Immediately after his ill-timed death, however, Manuel lifted the siege and immediately set course back home lest any of his brothers might attempt to contest the throne.
Manuel was a vigorous leader who possessed many of the positive characteristics common to both John and Alexius. Militarily as well as diplomatically he was unable to regain much territory lost to either the East or West but he sure put up a good fight and, at any rate, was able to arrest further nibbling at the borders; in itself a challenging task. Before dying of illness he managed to marry his son Alexius to a daughter of the King of France in a bid to strengthen the eternally shaky relations with the Western nations.