Empire of Nicaea, John III Ducas-Vatatzes, c. 15 December 1221 - 3 November 1254
BZ99289. Bronze tetarteron, Lianta 285; DOC IV-2 58; Hendy pl. 34, 4; Wroth BMCV 36; Ratto 2290; Sommer 70.16; SBCV 2116, Nice VF, broad flan, highlighting earthen deposits, 2.505g, 21.5mm, 150o, Lydia, Magnesia ad Sipylum (Manisa, Turkey) mint, bust of St. George facing, nimbate, wearing military attire, spear in right hand, shield on left arm, A in circle left, ΓPw monogram right; reverse Iw / ∆EC/ΠO - OΛOY/K/A/C (or similar, in columns left and right, OY ligate), John standing facing, wearing stemma with pendilia, chlamys, and divitision, labarum in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand; from the S. Lindner Collection; rare
John was a very successful ruler who greatly increased the size, influence, and prosperity of the Nicaean Empire. He prepared the way for his descendants to successfully restore Greek rule to Constantinople and to rule the restored Byzantine Empire.