TYPE Byzantine Empire, Irene (regent for Constantine VI, 780-797 AD), bronze follis, Constantinople mint, 3.70g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Facing crowned bust of Irene in loros, holding cruciform scepter. Rev: Bust of Constantine VI in chlamys, over horizontal bar, below which is M, flanked by X and N. REFERENCE: SB 1598 GRADING: F / AVF, dark green patina, scarce ORDER INFO: B2972, $170 A typically scarce issue of this celebrated and notorious (indeed, the first sole) Byzantine empress. Even though this design loyally displays her son as the underaged ruler, Irene's actions indicated otherwise, as she ruthlessly disposed of him in 797. Her sole rule a disaster, she was finally deposed and banished to the island of Lesbos in 802, where a quaint village with the royal name of Vasilika and little more remain as a distant reminder of her exile.