Auction Highlight: Solidus, Alexander (912-913)

Alexander was the first emperor of Byzantium to assume the title αὑτοκράτωρ (autokrator). He held office as co-emperor with his elder brother Leo VI (866-912) from 879 and, upon his death, became sole Basileus for just a year. In fact, he became emperor and regent on behalf of Leo VI’s son, the future Constantine VII. Alexander refused to pay Simeon of Bulgaria, king of the most powerful state in eastern Europe at time, the tributes agreed upon by his brother. This reignited the war with the Bulgars and caused many troubles for the empire.
But while the Bulgars were preparing for war against him, Alexander died in 913, leaving the empire in the hands of a regency council headed by Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, who at the coronation of his successor, Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, became its first adviser.
© Text from Numismatik Naumann
This Solidus will be auctioned at Numismatik Naumann at Auction 132 on September 3rd, 2023 starting at 17:00 Uhr under lot number 832. The starting bid will be 20.000€.