Byzantine Empire, John II Comnenus, 15 August 1118 - 8 April 1143 A.D.
BZ116896. Billon aspron trachy, DOC IV-I 10; CLBC 3.3.2; Morrisson BnF 60/Cp/B/02; Hendy pl. 10, 9; Wroth BMC 53; SBCV 1944; Grierson 1070; Sommer 60.7; Ratto -, VF/EF, dark patina, 4.142g, 29.9mm, 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, IC - XC (Greek abbr.: Ihσoúς Xpiσtóς - Jesus Christ), Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, raising right hand in benediction, gospels in left hand; reverse + IΩ ΔEC-ΠOT ΠΦVPOΓNHT (or similar), bust of John facing, wearing crown and loros, holding cruciform scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left hand
John II was the oldest son of Alexius I and succeeded to the throne in 1118. He was a good and capable ruler and did much to further the Byzantine Empire. He recaptured lost territory and added territory to the Empire. He attempted to curtail the trading privileges given to the Venetians but was forced to give up this idea. His reign was brought to an early end when he died in a hunting accident. His youngest son, Manuel I, succeeded him.