Image: Michael VI tetarteron

Description: MICHAEL VI, Stratioticus. 1056-1057 AD. AV Tetarteron (4.06 gm). Constantinople mint. MHP QV, facing nimbate bust of Mary orans / + MIXAHL AUTOCRAT', Michael, crowned and garbed in loros, standing on footstool, holding long cross and akakia. DOC III 2.2; BN 1; SB 1841. Good VF. Rare. ($2000) Michael served in the office of logothetes tou stratiotikou (approximately a comptroller for military finances) and his elevation to the throne after the death of Theodora was a rather sly maneuver by court grandees to take control of the government. The church, the aristocracy and the army all took a dim view of this, and the hapless Michael proved unable to win them over. When the general Isaac Comnenus revolted in June 1057 Michael quickly acceded to his demands for power sharing, but a few months later a conspiracy amongst the factions in Constantinople forced Michael's complete abdication.
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