Theophilus, with Constantine and Michael III. 829-842. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 830/1-840. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 704. Estimated: $ 750

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 1 700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Theophilus, with Constantine and Michael III. 829-842. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 830/1-840. Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys, holding patriarchal cross and akakia; * at beginning of legend, Θ at end / Crowned facing busts of Michael and Constantine, both wearing chlamys; cross above. DOC 3d; Füeg 3.H.2.y; SB 1653. Toned, scratch under tone. Near EF. An early strike with the die engraver’s spacing marks and centering circle still partially visible.

From the Best Collection of Byzantine Coins. Ex Ponterio 123 (14 November 2002), lot 412.

Second emperor of the Amorian dynasty, Theophilus ascended the Roman throne at the age of 16 or 17. He had been carefully educated by his father Michael II and styled himself as an ardent defender of justice. Although an admirer of Arab culture, he spent much of his reign fighting bitterly against Islamic armies on several fronts, notably in Sicily and Asia Minor, with mixed results. Theophilus sought to revive learning within the Empire and brought scholars to Constantinople who would later establish the university under his successor. A fervent iconoclast, he was the last emperor to suppress the veneration of sacred images. Nevertheless, he was a careful and judicious ruler whose administrative reforms strengthened the state. Upon his death in 842, power passed to his wife Theodora as regent for his infant son Michael III; she soon ended the persecution and effectively closed the divisive iconoclastic era.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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