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Michael II, Gold, Semissis, Syracuse, 821-829

 
 

Obverse

Frontal bust of Michael II, bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross on circlet. Globus cruciger in right hand.

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Reverse

Frontal bust of Theophilos, beardless, wearing chlamys and crown with cross on circlet. Globus cruciger in right hand.

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Obverse

Frontal bust of Michael II, bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross on circlet. Globus cruciger in right hand.

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Reverse

Frontal bust of Theophilos, beardless, wearing chlamys and crown with cross on circlet. Globus cruciger in right hand.

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Accession number BZC.2013.032
Ruler Michael II
Date of Reign 820–829
Associated Authority Theophilos
Metal Gold
Denomination Semissis
Mint Syracuse
Date 821829
Diameter 8.0 mm
Weight 1.49 g
Relation of Dies 6:00
Shape Flat

Commentary

This coin has an unusually thick flan and smaller diameter than DOC semisses (8 mm instead of 10 or 11 mm; see DOC 3.1:402, nos. 16.1 and 17). It is even smaller than the tremissses cited in DOC (3.1:403, nos. 18–20). Spahr catalogued a Theophilos tremissis that is 9 mm and 1.30 g. According to Spahr, “These ‘globular’ coins are from much cruder die that the preceding ones” (“Queste monete ‘globulari’ dono di conio molto piu rozzo dalle precedente”); see R. Spahr, Le monete siciliane dai Bizantini a Carlo I d’Angiò (582–1282), 87, no. 409.

Acquisition History

Numismatica Ars Classica 75, 18 November 2013, no. 712 (as "tremissis")