Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3051 8-9 January 2017
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Theophilus (AD 829-842). AV solidus (22mm, 4.47 gm, 6h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, AD 829-830. ✱ ΘЄOFI-LOS ЬASILЄ', crowned bust of Theophilus facing, wearing slight beard and loros, holding cruciform scepter in left hand and globus cruciger in right / CVRIЄ ЬOHΘHTO SO∂OVLO ✱ Є, patriarchal cross set upon three steps. Sear 1655. DOC 1a.2. Berk 248. An exceptional specimen of this great rarity, well struck on a broad flan.
Second emperor of the Amorian dynasty, Theophilus was carefully educated by his father Michael II and acquired a taste for scholarship. An admirer of Arab culture, he sent a magnificent embassy to the Caliph of Baghdad, which was graciously received. Nonetheless, the Arabs launched raids into Byzantine territory throughout the reign, one of which destroyed the emperor's hometown of Amorium in 838. Theophilus sought to revive learning within the Empire and brought scholars to Constantinople who would later establish the university under his successor. A fervent iconoclast, he was the last emperor to persecute those who venerated sacred images. Nevertheless, he was a careful and judicious ruler whose administrative reforms strengthened the state. Upon his death in 842, power passed to his wife Theodora as regent for his infant son Michael III; she soon ended the persecution and effectively closed the divisive iconoclastic era.
Estimate: 5000-7000 USD
Theophilus (AD 829-842). AV solidus (22mm, 4.47 gm, 6h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5. Constantinople, AD 829-830. ✱ ΘЄOFI-LOS ЬASILЄ', crowned bust of Theophilus facing, wearing slight beard and loros, holding cruciform scepter in left hand and globus cruciger in right / CVRIЄ ЬOHΘHTO SO∂OVLO ✱ Є, patriarchal cross set upon three steps. Sear 1655. DOC 1a.2. Berk 248. An exceptional specimen of this great rarity, well struck on a broad flan.
Second emperor of the Amorian dynasty, Theophilus was carefully educated by his father Michael II and acquired a taste for scholarship. An admirer of Arab culture, he sent a magnificent embassy to the Caliph of Baghdad, which was graciously received. Nonetheless, the Arabs launched raids into Byzantine territory throughout the reign, one of which destroyed the emperor's hometown of Amorium in 838. Theophilus sought to revive learning within the Empire and brought scholars to Constantinople who would later establish the university under his successor. A fervent iconoclast, he was the last emperor to persecute those who venerated sacred images. Nevertheless, he was a careful and judicious ruler whose administrative reforms strengthened the state. Upon his death in 842, power passed to his wife Theodora as regent for his infant son Michael III; she soon ended the persecution and effectively closed the divisive iconoclastic era.
Estimate: 5000-7000 USD