Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 254. Estimate CHF37500.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF35000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Michael I Rhangabe, with Theophylactus. 811-813. Solidus (Gold, 4.40 g 6). MIXAHL bASILE’ Bearded bust of Michael I facing, wearing chlamys and crown with cross, and holding a cross potent in his right hand and an akakia in his left; to left, pellet. Rev. ΘEOFVLACTOS DESP’E Beardless bust of Theophylactus facing, wearing loros and crown with cross, and holding a globus cruciger in his right hand and a cross tipped scepter in his left. DOC 1b. SB 1615. Very rare. Very well struck and centered, an exceptional piece. Virtually as struck.

From the SF Collection, USA.

When Nicephorus I was killed in battle by the Bulgarians he was succeeded by his very badly wounded son Stauracius. He, in turn, was deposed and tonsured in a coup by Michael I, his brother-in-law, and died from his wounds three months later. Michael’s reign was not a long one: after also being severely defeated in battle by the Bulgarians he was forced to abdicate and ended up dying as an elderly monk in 840 (Theophylactus was also made a monk and died five years after his father). Their coinage is very rare, almost certainly due in part to the withdrawal of all their issues by their successor.