Nomos 38

Theodosius III of Adramytium, 715-717. Solidus (Gold, 19 mm, 4.43 g, 6 h), Constantinople, H = 8th officina. d Ч ThЄOdO-SIЧS MЧLA Crowned and diademed bust of Theodosius facing, wearing loros and holding a patriarchal cross crosslet (both crossbars tied on the shaft with an x-shaped binding) on globus in his right hand and an akakia in his left. Rev. VICTORIA AVςЧ H / CONOB Cross potent on base and three steps. DOC 1 var. (officina unrecorded). Füeg 1.a.8. MIB 1. SB 1487. Very rare and well-struck. Minor flatness in the legends, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From the Bollen Collection of Byzantine Coins, ex Nomos FPL 15, January 2023, 95.

Do note the interesting minor details that vary between this piece and the one in the following lot. 1) the second letter in the obverse legend on this coin is Ч , while on the following it is N; 2) the crossbars of the cross crosslet are tied on with an x-shaped binding (best seen on the following lot).

Theodosius III is a historical oddity and there are few sources from the Byzantine Dark Ages about him; as the story goes he was a 'well liked tax collector from Adramytium'. The revolting troops of the Opsikion Theme decided to crown him emperor because he was so well liked. When Theodosius learned of this he fled the ‘honour’ but was caught and forced to become emperor! When he was deposed by Leo III he was allowed to retire to a monastery and eventually became Bishop of Ephesus. This story doesn't necessarily pass the smell test though. An alternate explanation is provided by the Byzantinist Graham Sumner, who suggested that Theodosius III was actually the son of Apsimar (Tiberius III), who survived Justinian II's purges and became Bishop of Ephesus at roughly the same time. This would explain why the troops of the Opsikion Theme, since they were looking for legitimacy, wanted him to become emperor, as well as his reluctance. He was also the only emperor from the 20 years of anarchy to not take a regnal name, since he already had one: Leo became Leontius, Apsimar became Tiberius, Vardanes became Philippicus, Artemius became Anastasius, and Conon became Leo III!