Michael III; AE Follis, Syracuse
Description:
Michael III (842 - 867). AE Follis, Syracuse mint 866-867. 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:
1,84 g
Grade:
gF/gF
Attribution:
SB 1697; DOC 12
Commentary:
very scarce; brown patina
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:
061-04-05-42750