TYPE Byzantine Empire, Nikephoros III Botaniates (1078-81 AD), electrum histamenon nomisma, 4.35g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus and holding Book of Gospels, Greek legend IC XC ("Jesus Christ") Rev: Emperor facing in crown and loros, holding labarum and gl. cr., circular Greek legend NIKEF DESPOT TO BOTANIAT REFERENCE: SB 1881 GRADING: VF / VF+, light scratches, Christ's image single-struck ORDER INFO: B2165, $215 The purity of gold went so far down during this reign that these nominally gold issues are really considered to be electrum, and some silver-type toning does show here. Alexios' momentuous monetary reform from a decade later restored the purity of the nomisma (and even labelled them as "highly refined gold" - hyperpyra), as well as introducing genuine electrum-based denominations.