Histamenon Nomisma - John I Tzimiskes Floating Cross, Constantinopolis

John I Tzimiskes came to power through assassination — he personally led the conspiracy that killed Nikephoros II Phokas in December 969, climbing into the palace through a window during a snowstorm. Despite this brutal entry into the purple, his reign proved militarily formidable: he pushed Byzantine forces deep into Syria and died on campaign in 976, possibly poisoned by the eunuch Basil Lekapenos. The DOC variant designation here suggests a minor die difference from the primary type, not uncommon given the volume struck at Constantinople across his seven-year reign.