bby_228580 - MICHAEL III THE DRUNKARD Follis

VF/VG

Not available.
Item sold on our e-shop (2010)
Price : 15.00 €

Type : Follis

Date: 842-866

Mint name / Town : Syracusa

Metal : copper

Diameter : 18 mm

Orientation dies : 5 h.

Weight : 1,91 g.

Rarity : R1

Coments on the condition:

Exemplaire sur un flan ovale à l’usure très importante, mais lisible et identifiable. Patine marron foncé, piquée

Catalogue references :

BMC/B.16 - R.1847 - Do.12 - BN/B.1 - BC.1697

Obverse

Obverse legend : + MIXAHL B.

Obverse description : Buste couronné de Michel III diadémé et couronné, vêtu du loros, tenant de la main droite un croix potencée et de la main gauche l’akakia.

Obverse translation : (Michel roi).

Reverse

Reverse legend : ANÉPIGRAPHE.

Reverse description : Grande M.

Commentary

C’est le seul type de follis frappé pour l’atelier de Constantinople.

Historical background

MICHAEL III THE DRUNKARD

(01/20/842-09/23/867)

Michel III is the son of Théophile (829-842) and Théodora and the grandson of Michel II l'Armorien. Associated to the throne by his father on September 1, 840, he succeeded him under the regency of his mother and the tutelage of Theoctistus, his favourite. In 856, Theodora was exiled and Theoctistus assassinated at the instigation of Michael III. Bardas, Theodora's brother, Michel III's uncle is associated with power. While the Arabs invaded many Byzantine territories including part of Sicily, the Byzantine Church Christianized the Balkans and the Salvos of Southern Europe while Photius became Patriarch of Constantinople. In 865, Bardas was assassinated and Michael III adopted Basil, of humble origin who ended up murdering his benefactor..