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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1951.31.4.1209
People
Issued by Michael III, Byzantine (r. 842 - 867)
Augusta Theodora, Byzantine (r. 830 - 856)
Title
Solidus of Michael III and Theodora, Constantinople
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
843 (?) -856 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Constantinople (Thrace)
Period
Byzantine period, Early
Culture
Byzantine
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/168614

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
4.42 g
Die Axis
6
Denomination
solidus
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: IhSYSX RISTOS*
  • Reverse Inscription: +MIXAHLSThetaE OdeltaORA

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
DOC 3.1, 2.2 (p. 463)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore
Accession Year
1951
Object Number
1951.31.4.1209
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Bust of Christ (Type Vc) facing, bearded, with cross behind head, wearing tunic and himation; r. hand raised in gesture of blessing in front of body, l. hand holding a book from beneath.

Rev.: Two busts facing, Michael on l., bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross; Theodora on r., larger, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, two pinnacles and cross. Above, cross.

Publication History

  • Alfred R. Bellinger, ed., Catalogue of Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library & Collection (Washington, D.C, 1992), vol. 3, part 1, 463, cat. 2.2, pl. 28
  • Ioli Kalavrezou, Byzantine Women and Their World, exh. cat., Harvard University Art Museums (Cambridge, MA, 2003), p. 96/figs. 37a, 37b

Exhibition History

  • Byzantine Women and Their World, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 10/25/2002 - 04/28/2003

Subjects and Contexts

  • Collection Highlights

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu