Well, then let's make it coin-related: Byzantine Solidus Justinian Victory Gold, 21 mm, 4.43 gm Struck: AD 527-537 Constantinople Obverse: Justinian facing 1/4 right, holding spear over shoulder Reverse: Victory standing facing holding cross and globe
I have the little brother of your Justinian solidus. Byzantine Empire: gold tremissis of Justinian I, ca. 527-565 AD
Savant (ain't seen him in quite a spell) sent me this (bless him) a time ago. Tried to win me over to the 'dark side', but I resist to this day. Still, let it not be said that 'green' does not appreciate ancients.......
Nice Diocletian, but that coin was already over 230 years old by 536 AD when they had that year of never ending winter.
Hell, I'm almost that (230). Just got the notion the thread was turning ancient, and my coin stock is quite limited.......
That coin certainly is in the finest style of the period. I have no Byzantine coins, but would prefer this over any facing-portrait Solidus of Justinian.
I always wondered what those things were hanging from Justinian's ears and now I know. Given that the Byzantines did things so ornately I did not not recognize them for what they actually are. Hearing about all that cold weather finally cleared it up, Earmuffs!
Good stuff, thanks for posting. Here's an account that's not behind a paywall. https://www.history.com/news/536-volcanic-eruption-fog-eclipse-worst-year