⅔ Miliaresion - Nikephoros Melissenos

Nikephoros Melissenos declared himself emperor in 1080 while Nikephoros III Botaneiates still held Constantinople, controlling much of Asia Minor and commanding substantial Seljuk-allied forces. He never took the capital. When Alexios Komnenos seized the throne in 1081, Melissenos negotiated terms rather than fight — accepting the title of Caesar — and his coinage ceased. Issues struck under his pretender authority are consequently rare, representing a window of perhaps months rather than years of actual production.