I've had this coin for years and many people have seen it on my website, but I've never shown it on this site. To find a Roman or Provincial reverse which has never been published is quite unusual but it does occur from time to time as there are so many different types, but to find an early unpublished Byzantine follis is almost unheard of. We're talking coins with a basic design of a large M on the reverse, with a combination of stars, crescents, or ANNO and regnal years. Not a lot of variation. This one is a 29mm follis of Justin I from Nicomedia: Ox: DN IVSTI-NV .... Rx; Large M; branches to each side, cross above, B below and NIKM in exergue I've shown it to an expert on Byzantine issues (and published author) and he believes it was probably issued on a very limited basis for some special occasion. My problem is this: If one day I decide to sell it I would certainly need it authenticated. Problem is that incarceration in plastic by a grading service does not authenticate an ancient coin, and I doubt they would slab this coin anyways. Any ideas? Maybe dealers like @Valentinian can help here.
David Sear I believe is the best authentification service for ancients, but I have no idea if he does Byzantines. I'd start by asking him. http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html
I dont think you need to look at it this way. Dont put the cart before the horse, as they say. Any auction house or dealer worth their salt will authenticate it for you simply by offering it for sale.
Thanks Ken. My thought process was that this would be a very difficult coin for an auction house to authenticate and sell. Maybe I'm wrong but I didn't think they would stick their necks (and reputation) out on such an unusual issue without some Byzantine expert's evaluation. Do auction houses actually have such people on staff? I've seen mistaken identification and very suspicious coins show up on major sites recently.
