v31_0716 - MICHAEL III THE DRUNKARD Follis

MONNAIES 31 (2007)
Starting price : 150.00 €
Estimate : 300.00 €
Realised price : 255.00 €
Number of bids : 6
Maximum bid : 295.00 €

Type : Follis

Date: 26 mai 866 - 23 septembre 867

Date: 866-867

Mint name / Town : Constantinople

Metal : copper

Diameter : 29,5 mm

Orientation dies : 6 h.

Weight : 7,13 g.

Rarity : R2

Coments on the condition:

Exemplaire sur un flan large, bien centré des deux côtés. Beaux portraits. Patine marron foncé, légèrement granuleuse

Catalogue references :

BMC/B.11 - R.1849 - Do.8 - BN/B.1 - BC.1693 (125£)

Obverse

Obverse legend : + MIHAEL - IMPERAT.

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

Reverse

Reverse legend : + BASIL-IYS REX*.

Reverse description : Buste couronné de Basile Ier diadémé et couronné, vêtu du loros, tenant de la main droite un globe crucgère avec la croix patriaecale et de la gauche l’akakia.

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)

Michael III and Basil I

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..