TYPE Byzantine Empire, Theofilos (829-842 AD), bronze follis, uncertain provincial mint, struck 831-42 AD, 6.14g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Facing bust of Theofilos, wearing crown with tufa and loros, holding labarum and orb, Greek legend ThEOFIL BASIL' Rev: 4-line legend: ThEOFILE AVGUSTE SU NICAS ("Emperor Theofilos, may you conquer") REFERENCE: SB 1685, DO III 17, Be 899 GRADING: VF, highlighted green patina, weaker area ORDER INFO: B3037, $75 Ex CNA XIX (2/92), lot 463. A somewhat unusual - not standardly pious - reverse legend, specific to this emperor. It might be a reflection of his devout iconoclasm (religious rejection of icons), and the struggle with internal opponents in which he was the last leading exponent of this once powerful doctrinary position. Characteristic coarser "provincial style".