★ Rare Michael III Semissis ★

Michael III EL Semissis, Syracuse

Michael III 'the Drunkard' (842-866 AD). Base gold Semissis (13-14 mm, 1.64 g), Syracuse.
Obv. MIXAHL Θ, facing bust, wearing crown and chlamys, holding patriarchal cross on globus.
Rev. MIXAHL Θ, similar bust, but wearing loros.
Sear 1694.

Rare. Extremely fine.

These coins belong the last Byzantine issues struck in Sicily before the Arab conquest