Watch List notes:

ROMAN & BYZANTINE COINS

Michael II the Amorian, with Theophilus, 820-829. Follis (Copper, 29mm, 7.68 g 6), Constantinople, 821-829. ΜΙΧΑΗL S Θ ЄΟFΙLΟS Two facing busts; on the left, Michael, bearded and wearing chlamys and crown with cross; on the right, Theophilos, beardless and wearing loros and crown with cross; between them, cross and pellet. Rev. M; to left, X/X/X; to right, N/N/N; above, cross; below, Θ. DOC 10. SB 1642. A splendid example, very well preserved with a dark green patina overlaid with earthen highlights; very rare thus. Extremely fine.

From the Yitzhak collection, Switzerland.
For much of its history Byzantine coinage was composed primarily of gold coins, designed for major payments and taxes, and copper, the staple of daily life. It should be understandable that Byzantine copper coinage, while issued in vast numbers, is seldom found in really good condition, after all, these coins were constantly in use. Thus, a coin like this one, which is in outstandingly fine condition, is actually extremely rare.