ANCIENT - Byzantine Fever - Plague of Justinian Coins c. 541 AD

I was planning on taking a small break from buying coins, and of course nothing ever goes as planned. When I was browsing the net, I saw some interesting coins that I would consider "must have." I have a very weak Byzantine Collection consisting of a large Anonymous Christ Follis and a neat silver milleriseion of John I.

I have been wanting a coin of Justinian, and for me any nice example would do, but then I saw (2) coins that really stuck out from the rest. I would have bought one but I couldn't decide which one I wanted more. These coins are 39 mm x 22 gram large 40 numis. Constantinople mint dated r.y. 14. Having taken the throne in 527 AD, yr, 14 would date the coins to 541/2 AD the onset of the plague of Justinian.

Justinian's dream of a restored empire and a Roman Lake, would all have come true had it not been for an invisible enemy carried upon the backs of rats. The Bubonic plague, Killing over half of European population, leaving the European continent in the darkness from which it nearly had emerged. Europe would not recover for nearly a thousand years.

Some argue that Justinian was the last Roman Emperor, and the true dark ages would begin between year 14 and 15 of his reign. In 542 Justinian himself would fall ill to the disease, but would survive, but like most survivors of the day, the disease would damage his body as well as his mind. Historians of the time would record that at the height of the plage 10,000 a day would die in the streets of Constantinople.It was believed that the disease arrived in Europe from wheat traders from Eygpt who carried rats from the east in their cargo. It would also be recorded that Justinian would become a cruel and paranoid ruler, who would extort money from the poor, and have the survivors of the plague pay taxes in the amount due as well as the amount that was due from peasants who had died.

Upon Justinian's death, the Roman legions that had been entrusted to return the whole of Europe to Rome were recalled. The treasury surely could not prop up the west as it had in Antiquity. Justinian's wars with the various Gothic Kingdoms, had crippled production in the Italian peninsula, and it would take centuries to recover. The light of the empire would finally go out...for the last time.



Note sellers images.

 

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Those large bronzes from Anastatius thru Justinian sure are cool. I have to admit I have never checked dates and corresponded the coins to what was happening at the time. These used to be relatively reasonably priced, but have been moving up in the last 5 years. I think people just love big coins. I have to admit I do love pulling one I have out and looking at it from time to time. I have a Justinian about 43 mm, (a quarter inch of excess flan all the way around the border). Its an impressive peice to be sure. I have no idea the date though.

Justinian is an interesting character, as is his wife. On one hand the Hagia Sophia, growth of the empire, etc, OTOH bankruptcy of the empire and being so weak that 50 years later they would have fallen to the Sassanids if not for Khusro II's incompetency. Definitely a bipolar historical view.

 

Lovely coin, would gladly welcome it to my collection.

Still wanna get more byzantines myself but personal things have come up so I am on a forced coin break

 

I am kind of as well. I haven't bid on anything for a few weeks. Kind of sad not having coins roll in the mail. I did receive from China this week a couple of pieces of mother molds for Chinese cash, but no coins. I did just set up 20 snipes, so hopefully my dry spell will be ending.

 

You don't do anything piecemeal eh?

 

But I am cheap. Maybe those 20 snipes might yield me a couple of wins. I have had set up 150-200 snipes at times. One time I walked away with 2 coins, another about 70. You never know. Might as well set out cheap snipes just on the off chance they go cheap for some reason.

 

Well, I am glad you guys really like the my new plague coins!

 

Anoob, awesome Byzantine coins, i love how you add info to all your coins, good details and well centered coins, with good eye appeal..very nice...:thumb:

I had coin club last night and picked up 5 coins, haven't purchased any coin's since our coin show earlier this month, although i just got let go from my job of 34 yrs.... so i have to slow down on my buying for a while,

Here's one i picked up a few months ago,

Justinian l
AE Follis 527- 565..AD.
Yr. 12
Mint ..Nicomedia
45mm x 22.22g..

 

I am sorry to hear about your job lose. I just can't believe that - after 34 yrs?! Its a shame that they let people go that have worked somewhere longer than I have been alive. Thats a real sin.

On the upside your coin dated year 12, = 539/540 AD. And a real monster "M"

 

No worries my friend, i will have my retirement in a couple months, and back to buying coin's..

 

Those are two very nice well struck coins with excellent details. I've said this before, the Byzantine empire is just as rich in history as the Rome empire was. But it is still overlooked by many collectors, I glad I'm not one.

 

I agree. For those wishing to immerse themselves in Byzantine history, I highly recommend Norwich's 3 volume Byzantine history set. There is a one volume book out, but not nearly as detailed as the 3 volume set. Norwich also wrote a terrific book on Venice.

 

Hey wait up, I got one too!!

Justinian I AE Follis
Year 32 (558-559 AD)
Diameter: 31 mm
Weight: 17.3 grams
Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I, holding globus cruciger and shield
Reverse: Large M





=> man, this coin is like a flash-back to the 70's!!! (black-light poster!!)

 

now you need one from his plague years. 14-15

 

Notice the size difference? Even toward the end of his reign his policies were overly taxing the state. This shows up in bronze coins as the massive size and weight reductions the longer in the reign you go. From here on out coins shrink for the next 100 years.

I think its cool our coins demonstrate the history to us.

 

Great observation look at Eng's massive yr.12! The coins look to be more crudely executed in the years following the plague of Justinian.

 

Arrived Today- Plague Coin example A

The plague coin with the earthen patina arrived today. I must acknowledge the good deal with exceptional speed of delivery and tracking info from The Time Machine Company. I must admit I think my photo is better!

Here is example A representing my own measurements and photos!

40.4 mm x 21.70 grams.

I would also like to say the patina is quite glossy, but there is still dirt on the obverse and some very old deposits on the reverse. Needless to say the coin is both beuatiful and impressive in a way words and pictures just can't describe,

Hint, hint at new up coming Youtube video.:hail:

 

I also have a few Justinian coins, including this follis from Nicomedia, year 14:



Justinian AE Follis Nicomedia

Obverse:
Justinian facing, holding globus with cross
D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG

Reverse:
Large letter "M", ANNO left, cross top, X/II/II right (year 14)
NIKO in exergue

Size: 32mm
Weight: 19.35gm
Struck: AD 540-541 Nicomedia mint
Catalog: Sear 201

 

I believe it would be a safe assumption that many of the celators died to the plague, with the remainder working overtime (fewer workers, rushed work/training)

 

Yup => I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for a plague-coin (man, now I really want one of dem big babies!!)

:yes: