Watch List notes:

Michael III "the Drunkard", 842-867. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.44 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, 856-867. IҺSЧS XRISTOS✱ Half-length bust of Christ Pantokrator facing, with cross, holding book of Gospels in his left hand and raising his right in benediction. Rev. +mIXAHL bASILЄ' Crowned facing bust of Michael, wearing slight beard and loros, holding labarum in his right hand. DOC 3. SB 1688. Very rare. A really fine, well centered and clear example. Nearly extremely fine.


This coin was struck after Bardas cloistered the queen mother Theodora in 856 (see the note on lot 850 above).