{"product_id":"byzantine-empire-theophilus-ae-follis-ad-829-842","title":"Byzantine Empire – Theophilus Æ Follis (AD 829–842)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eByzantine Empire – Theophilus Æ Follis (AD 829–842)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSyracuse Mint, Sicily | Extremely Fine (XF)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Remarkable 1,180-Year-Old Byzantine Coin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered by Redmond Rare Coins \u0026amp; Precious Metals is an exceptionally attractive bronze follis issued under Byzantine Emperor Theophilus (AD 829–842), struck at the historic imperial mint of Syracuse, Sicily.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis fascinating coin features a bold frontal portrait of Theophilus wearing an elaborate imperial crown and intricately patterned ceremonial loros. The reverse displays two additional imperial portraits, traditionally identified as Michael II and Constantine, representing the ruling Amorian dynasty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse is particularly impressive, retaining well-defined facial features, a prominent crown, and striking geometric detail throughout the emperor’s ceremonial clothing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoin Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eEmpire:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Byzantine Empire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eEmperor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Theophilus (AD 829–842)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Æ Follis (Bronze)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMint:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Syracuse, Sicily\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e AD 829–842\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eGrade:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Extremely Fine (XF), dealer estimated\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCatalog Reference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sear Byzantine 1680 (provisional)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFinish:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Naturally aged dark brown-to-black patina\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCertification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Uncertified (raw)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter: 17.3mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:  3.4g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXRF: Ag .191, Fe .196, Cu 99.12\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse – Emperor Theophilus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse features a facing bust of Emperor Theophilus, crowned and wearing the elaborate ceremonial loros associated with Byzantine imperial authority.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe emperor holds a patriarchal cross, symbolizing the connection between imperial power and Christianity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen exhibits especially attractive obverse detail, including clearly defined eyes, nose, mouth, crown, and individual geometric elements of the loros.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse – The Imperial Dynasty\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse depicts two crowned imperial figures, identified with Michael II and Constantine, with a star positioned between their heads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe inscription identifies the imperial figures and reinforces the dynastic message of the coinage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the reverse is more softly struck than the obverse, both portraits remain recognizable, and the central star and portions of the surrounding inscription are visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheophilus ruled the Byzantine Empire from AD 829 until his death in 842. A member of the Amorian dynasty, he governed during a period of military conflict, cultural development, and religious controversy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis reign was marked by the final decades of Byzantine Iconoclasm, the imperial policy opposing the religious use of icons. The restoration of icon veneration followed shortly after his death in AD 843.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Syracuse mint, located in Sicily, was an important provincial center of Byzantine coin production. Its bronze issues are particularly fascinating to collectors because they reflect the distinctive artistic traditions and political circumstances of Byzantine Italy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition and Collector Appeal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example is particularly desirable for its strong obverse portrait and attractive overall presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighlights include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBold, expressive portrait of Theophilus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWell-defined crown and ceremonial loros\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisible dynastic reverse with central star\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroad, relatively round flan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttractive dark patina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical connection to ninth-century Byzantine Sicily\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDealer-assigned grade: XF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The obverse is sharper than the reverse, which displays some weakness and wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered by Redmond Rare Coins \u0026amp; Precious Metals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstablished in 1995, Redmond Rare Coins \u0026amp; Precious Metals specializes in collectible coins, precious metals, and historical numismatics.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated in Kirkland, Washington.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewww.redmondrarecoins.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou will receive the exact coin pictured. Please examine both photographs carefully, as ancient coins were individually struck and may exhibit variations in centering, flan shape, surface texture, and strike quality.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Redmond Rare Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67749100618025,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/5398\/2505\/files\/IMG_3257.png?v=1793832737","url":"https:\/\/redmondrarecoins.com\/products\/byzantine-empire-theophilus-ae-follis-ad-829-842","provider":"Redmond Rare Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}