Description: Michael III (842 - 866 AD). AE Follis, Syracuse mint 856-866 AD. MIXAHL b; facing bust wearing crown with cross atop and loros and holding cross potent / Large M with cross above and Θ below.

Diameter: AE17 mm

Weight: 2,52 g

Grade: VF/VF

Attribution: Sear 1698; DOC 13

Commentary: rare; brown patina with contrasting deposits, well centered for type

History: Nearly 400 years after Anastasius I introduced his famous follis with the letter M for its denomination, was this type of coin, shrunken to merely 10% of original weight, for the last time minted on the island of Sicily, which stood shortly before the ultimate fall to the Arabs.

Article Number: 005-05-02-45017