Justinian The Great, Follis

November 2023

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Justinian the Great (I), A.D. 527-565. While listed as Byzantine, Justinian considered himself Roman and on a mission to restore a once great Empire. This effort included building the Santa Sophia Basilica which remained the largest domed church for 1000 years! His history and that of his Queen Theodora is well worth reading.
OB: D.N. IVSTINIANVS PP AVG; ("Our Lord, Justinian, Father of his Country, Augustus"); facing portrait of Justinian, cuirassed & wearing a helmet, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand and a shield depicting horse & rider.
RX: a very large 'M' (40 nummi or one follis) between 'ANNO' and 'XVII' (=17, regnal date for A.D. 544-545 mintage). 'NIKO' in exergue (for Nicomedia mint) and 'B' for 2nd officina.
This fine example has a particularly detailed obverse. These large coins are about 38 mm; this one is ~ 37 mm and 21 gm.
You can read an extensive article on 'regnally-dated' Byzantine coins at our library, plus the Intro to Sear Byzantine coins.
VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
Byzantine Regnally-Dated Coins - Cervin: [ link ]
Byzantine Coins - Sear Intro: [ link ]
"Numismatist" (ANA) article on Justinian reform Folles at this: [ link ]