BYZANCE - *JEAN II Comnenus 15 august 1118 - 8 april 1143 Christ seated and blessing. On either side, IC - XC. R/. The nimbed Virgin standing facing crowning the emperor standing facing holding the labarum. ♦ Sear 1939 **Gold hyperperon struck at Constantinople. Coin mounted as a pendant on elaborate claws. (weight of jewel 8.40 g) Nice coin despite the graffiti. Irregular flan. T.B. *John II Comnenus was born on 13 September 1087 and died on 8 April 1143 in Cilicia. He was a Byzantine emperor. The chronicles of the time describe him as having a dark complexion, rather unattractive features and black hair, which earned him the nickname Maurus. His reign, along with that of his son Manuel, marked the last period of expansion of the Byzantine Empire. Continuing the work of his father Alexis I Comnenus, he actively fought against the Seljuks in Asia Minor, definitively crushed the Pechenegues and pacified the Balkans. Expert: Françoise Berthelot-Vinchon of Cabinet Jean Vinchon Numismatique.