Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Michael II 'the Amorian', with Theophilus, 820-829 AD c. 821-829 AD
Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Michael II 'the Amorian', with Theophilus, 820-829 AD c. 821-829 AD
Æ 40 Nummi / Æ Follis, 8.07g (30mm, 6h).
MIXAHL S ΘЄΟFILOS, crowned and facing busts of Michael on l., wearing chlamys, and Theophilus on r., wearing loros; cross above / Large M; cross above, XXX to l., NNN to r., Θ below
Pedigree: Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 106, 9 May 2018, lot 1129.
References: DOC 10; Sear 1642
Grade: Finely struck, with very little wear on either face. Well struck with all details visible. Some die rust at the top of the obverse legend. Ef/Ef+. (bz1070)
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Proclaimed emperor from prison immediately after conspiring to have his rival Leo V assassinated in the palace chapel of St. Stephen during Christmas mass, Michael was slated to reign during interesting times. Straddling the lines, as an Iconoclast he reluctantly accepted iconodules, or those who worshiped using eastern orthodox icons.
He also faced an armed insurrection from Thomas the Slave, who was crowned in Anatolia by the Patriarch of Antioch and supported by the Abbasid Caliph. However, he persevered and went on to begin the rebuilding of the Byzantine military.
Starting during 820, Michael II co-ruled with his son Theophilos. This co-rule lasted the remainder of his reign and enabled Michael to educate Theophilos on how to properly run an empire.