This Byzantine emperor had his power stolen by Romanus I Lecapenus. Despite the often cruel, gruesome, and brutal Byzantine history of usurpers killing, maiming or disfiguring toppled emperors, Romanus I let Constantine VII live unaltered, though without any ruling power. Romanus I thus earned the title (coined by Norwich?) "the gentle usurper." This follis appeared after Romanus I's sons overthrew him, which prompted Constantine VII to overthrow them, which allowed him to finally rule in his own right. Too much drama. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (913-959); Æ Follis; Constantinople mint, struck 945-50; Obv.: + [COҺST ЬA]SIL ROM' crowned bust facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia; Rev.: + [CO]ҺST / EҺ ӨEO ЬA / SILEVS R / OMEOҺ in four lines; 24mm, 7.19g, short flan; DOC 26, Sommer 36.17.1, Sear 1761
