TYPE Byzantine Empire, Romanos I Lakapenos (920-944 AD), cast bronze of Cherson (smaller module) DESCRIPTION . Obv: Greek "rho-omega" monogram (for "Romanos") Rev: Blank [Cross floriate on steps] REFERENCE: SB 1764 var., An 477 GRADING: VF / G, rough brown patina ORDER INFO: B2268, $45 Soviet scholars on the subject (Sokolova and Anokhin) associate this type with the 11th century (and thus with Romanos III and IV). This is not evident anywhere in either Sear or Dumbarton Oaks, and is based on hoard and other archeological evidence. Indeed, while DO suggests that no more coinage was minted in Cherson after its temporary takeover by Russians under prince Vladimir, the Soviet scholar position is that precisely the lack of these common "rho-monogram" types from hoards (presumably) generated during that campaign shows their later origin. The present specimen is towards the end of the series of many recasts from a familiar original, with a bold but much reduced obverse and almost blank reverse.