174, Lot: 288. Estimate $75. Sold for $165. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theophilus. 829-842. Æ Half Follis (14mm, 1.22 g). Syracuse mint. [QEOF] ILOS, crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros [holding globus cruciger] / [MIX] AHL S [CONST], crowned facing busts of Michael II and Constantine; star between. DOC III 29c; SB 1680. Good VF, smooth green patina. Rare; only one example in DOC.

From the Chris Connell Collection.

DOC posits that 29c is either a reduced follis or a half follis. The obverse legend of DOC 29 normally ends with bAS; lacking on this coin. Theophilus’ son Constantine had died in 831, but his portrait remained on the bronzes of Syracuse for several years following.