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January Signature Sale 3089 21-22 Jan 2021
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Ancients
Michael III the Drunkard (AD 842-867), with Theodora and Thecla, AV solidus (20mm, 4.31 gm, 6h). ANACS XF 40, mount removed, repaired. Constantinople, ca. AD 842-843. + ΘEOdO-RA C dESPVn', facing bust of Theodora, wearing crown with two double pinnacles, pendilia and loros, cruciform scepter in left hand, globus surmounted by patriarchal cross in right / •mIXAHLS-ΘЄCLA, facing half-length similar-sized busts of Michael III (on left), wearing crown and chlamys, globus cruciger in right hand, and his sister Thecla (on right), wearing loros and crown with three plain pinnacles and pendilia, the middle pinnacle surmounted by a cross, patriarchal cross in right hand, akakia in left. Sear 1686. DOC III.1, -, cf. 1a.2 for type with '6' style d in obverse legend and 1d.1 for obverse legend ending with n' instead of n'A. Quite pleasing eye appeal with cherry toning around the devices.
Ex Collection of a Philhellene (Heritage Auctions, 3067 Long Beach, 6 September 2018), lot 30408; A. H. Baldwin & Sons Auction 26 (January 1998), lot 29; Goodacre Collection of Byzantine Coins (Christies, 22 April 1986); Münzhandlung Basel (16 March 1938), lot 872
Theodora, who ruled as regent for Michael III during his long minority, was one of the more successful female Byzantine rulers. She was wed to the newly crowned Theophilus in AD 830, following a "bride show", in which eligible maidens from all over the Empire were paraded before the young emperor. She remained a fervent iconodule despite the strict iconoclasm of her husband, and bore him seven children over 12 years. In AD 842, Theophilus died at only 29 years of age; his only surviving son was the three-year old Michael III, who had already been declared emperor and succeeded without opposition, with Theodora acting as regent. She was ably assisted by her brothers, Bardas and Petronas, as well as by Theoktistos, the logothete (admiral) of the Byzantine navy. The borders were maintained, Arab and Slavic raids repulsed, and the century-old iconoclastic controversy ended diplomatically by a restoration of icons (as objects of veneration, not worship), without reprisal on those who had sought their destruction. Throughout, she demonstrated herself an effective and capable ruler. In typical Byzantine fashion, though, she soon fell victim to court intrigues by her brother Bardas, who conspired with the young Michael in AD 856 to remove Theodora from power. Once deposed, she was confined to a convent and could only watch helplessly as a lowborn but ambitious courtier named Basil wormed his way into her son's affections, did away with Bardas, and ultimately murdered Michael and ascended the throne himself in AD 867.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-michael-iii-the-drunkard-ad-842-867-with-theodora-and-thecla-av-solidus-20mm-431-gm-6h-anacs-xf-40/a/3089-32250.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 2000-3000 USD
Michael III the Drunkard (AD 842-867), with Theodora and Thecla, AV solidus (20mm, 4.31 gm, 6h). ANACS XF 40, mount removed, repaired. Constantinople, ca. AD 842-843. + ΘEOdO-RA C dESPVn', facing bust of Theodora, wearing crown with two double pinnacles, pendilia and loros, cruciform scepter in left hand, globus surmounted by patriarchal cross in right / •mIXAHLS-ΘЄCLA, facing half-length similar-sized busts of Michael III (on left), wearing crown and chlamys, globus cruciger in right hand, and his sister Thecla (on right), wearing loros and crown with three plain pinnacles and pendilia, the middle pinnacle surmounted by a cross, patriarchal cross in right hand, akakia in left. Sear 1686. DOC III.1, -, cf. 1a.2 for type with '6' style d in obverse legend and 1d.1 for obverse legend ending with n' instead of n'A. Quite pleasing eye appeal with cherry toning around the devices.
Ex Collection of a Philhellene (Heritage Auctions, 3067 Long Beach, 6 September 2018), lot 30408; A. H. Baldwin & Sons Auction 26 (January 1998), lot 29; Goodacre Collection of Byzantine Coins (Christies, 22 April 1986); Münzhandlung Basel (16 March 1938), lot 872
Theodora, who ruled as regent for Michael III during his long minority, was one of the more successful female Byzantine rulers. She was wed to the newly crowned Theophilus in AD 830, following a "bride show", in which eligible maidens from all over the Empire were paraded before the young emperor. She remained a fervent iconodule despite the strict iconoclasm of her husband, and bore him seven children over 12 years. In AD 842, Theophilus died at only 29 years of age; his only surviving son was the three-year old Michael III, who had already been declared emperor and succeeded without opposition, with Theodora acting as regent. She was ably assisted by her brothers, Bardas and Petronas, as well as by Theoktistos, the logothete (admiral) of the Byzantine navy. The borders were maintained, Arab and Slavic raids repulsed, and the century-old iconoclastic controversy ended diplomatically by a restoration of icons (as objects of veneration, not worship), without reprisal on those who had sought their destruction. Throughout, she demonstrated herself an effective and capable ruler. In typical Byzantine fashion, though, she soon fell victim to court intrigues by her brother Bardas, who conspired with the young Michael in AD 856 to remove Theodora from power. Once deposed, she was confined to a convent and could only watch helplessly as a lowborn but ambitious courtier named Basil wormed his way into her son's affections, did away with Bardas, and ultimately murdered Michael and ascended the throne himself in AD 867.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-michael-iii-the-drunkard-ad-842-867-with-theodora-and-thecla-av-solidus-20mm-431-gm-6h-anacs-xf-40/a/3089-32250.s?type=CoinArchives3089
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 2000-3000 USD