| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 32335 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Michael II the Amorian with Theophilus (AD 821-829). AV semissis (11mm, 1.90 gm, 5h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5. Syracuse. MI-XAHL b, draped bust of Michael II facing, beardless, wearing crown surmounted by cross, cross potent in right hand / ΘЄOF-ILOS dЄ, draped bust of Theophilus facing, wearing crown surmounted by cross, globus cruciger in right hand. Sear 1646 (solidus). A delightful piece with interesting toning. Ex Economopoulos Numismatics, private sale with old dealer's tag included; Bob Guynn Collection; Harlan J. Berk, private sale with old dealer's tag included. Born of humble parentage in central Anatolia, Michael the Amorian entered the army and rose through the ranks to become the right-hand man of Leo V the Armenian; however, in AD 820 Leo accused him of treason and had him arrested. Partisans of Michael assassinated Leo and raised Michael to the purple. He was challenged by a rival general, Thomas the Slav, and the resultant civil war lasted until AD 823, allowing the Arabs to invade Crete and Sicily. Elsewhere he held the line. Of iconoclastic views, Michael was tolerant as to enforcement, and religious unrest receded. He was the first emperor in decades to die quietly in his bed, leaving the throne to his learned son Theophilus. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-michael-ii-the-amorian-with-theophilus-ad-821-829-av-semissis-11mm-190-gm-5h-ngc-ms-5-5-4-5/a/3115-32335.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
