★ Rare; important historical period ★

Michael VIII and Andronicus II (1272-82) AE trachy. Thessalonica, 0.87g, 16mm.
Obv: Facing bust of St. Demetrius or St. Theodore, holding spear
Rev: Half-length busts of Andronicus, on left, and Michael, on right, holding between them sword; behind, the Archangel Michael, crowning them.
DOC 212-215; SB 2322-23.

This coin is from the short (only one page’s worth in Sear’s Byzantine book) but important period of Michael VIII’s and his son Andronicus II’s joint reign. Michael VIII was engaged in warding off the ambitions of the King of Sicily, Charles of Anjou, who wished to renew Latin rule at Constantinople. One of Michael’s diplomatic tools was a reunion of the churches, a move that was received with almost universal dismay domestically but which allowed him to triumph over his enemy. After his death, Andronicus II immediately moved to dissolve the union.