THEOPHILUS, 829-842. AV Solidus (3.90 gms), Syracuse Mint, ca. 830-831. NGC MS, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. S-1670. Obverse: Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing loros and holding cross potent; Reverse: Crowned facing bust of Theophilus, wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger. This example is maintained in a condition <strong>SCARCELY </strong>seen on any ancient coin. Absolutely untouched by wear, the perfectly struck surfaces yield to a honey golden tone. A jewel from the Sicilian reaches of Byzantium. From a New York Collection.