Nomos Pickup: Byzantine Gold Coin of Justin I (Victoria inscribing shield)

I recently learnt about auction platforms such as biddr and sixbid. Started dipping my toes bidding in Nomos, Naville, Bertolami, etc in October. Although sometimes it’s not easy to get up early in the morning for live bids, my experience is overall quite positive. I find more sources of ancient coins for me. In addition, the shipping from Europe is surprisingly fast.

Here is one of my October Nomos wins. A budget Byzantine gold semissis, minted under Justin I. I read some background information about the emperor, that he is a great military leader. I think this may explain the reverse design of Victoria inscribing shield. I find it interesting that the inscription being “XXXX”, instead of stating specific victory like in Imperial Roman times. I am unsure why.


Justin I, 518-527 AD. Semissis.
Constantinople. 18.5 mm, 2.04 g, 6 h.
Obv: DN IVSTI-NVS PP AVC. Diademed and cuirassed bust of Justin I.
Rev: VICTORIA AVCCC / CONOB Victory seated right, inscribing XXXX on shield set on knee (no stand??) ; to right, staurogram; to left, star.
DOC 3. MIBE 4. SB 57. Nomos, October 2021.

You are welcome to post Justin I coins, or anything related. Thanks!

 

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Also from Nomo, same auction. The baby brother of your coin.



Justin I, 518-527. Tremissis (Gold, 14 mm, 0.99 g, 7 h), Constantinople. D N IVSTI-NVS PP AVC Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justin I to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / CONOB Victory advancing to right, head turned to left, holding wreath in right hand and globus cruciger in left; in field to right, star. DOC 4. MIB 5. SB 58. Flan somewhat wavy, otherwise, very fine.


Also same denomination as your coin but Anastasius ( Same auction )



Anastasius I, 491-518. Semissis (Gold, 18 mm, 2.01 g, 7 h), Constantinople, 507-518. DN ANASTA-SIVS PP AVC Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Anastasius I to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVCCC / CONOB Victory seated right, inscribing XXXX on shield set on knee; in field to left, star; in field to right, staurogram. DOC 3. MIBE 4. SB 57. Graffiti and edge bend, otherwise, very fine.

I like Nomo, I also picked up some excellent trachea and a beautiful tetarteron that I posted on a earlier thread. These two were not my primary interest but I get into it.

Nice coin @happy_collector , I think your photo is better than mine. I have a lot of trouble photographing gold.

 

I think Victory inscribing the shield with XXXX is a reference to public vota, and the design is probably inspired by various 4th and 5th century types where the inscription is explicit, i. e. VOT X, or VOT XX. As far as I know, Victory inscribing specific battles occurs only on certain 1st century types, like DE(VICTA) GER(MANIA) on coins of Domitian, etc.

 

Nice pickups, @BenSi. I like the Victory reverse designs. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks for your additional info, John. I do recall seeing "DE" or GER" in Roman Imperial coins.

 

Very nice, @happy_collector! Those look addictive. Be careful, or you'll end up working hours and hours like @panzerman to support your gold habit!

I have only one coin of Justin I. It's not as lustrous as your semissis.



Justin I, AD 518-527.
Byzantine Æ follis, 17.03 g, 34.3 mm, 7 h.
Constantinople, 4th officina, AD 518-527.
Obv: D N IVSTI-NVS P P AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: Large M; cross above, stars flanking; Δ//CON.
Refs: DOC 8d; MIBE 11; SB 62.

 

Thanks for sharing your AE follis, @Roman Collector. It's a large and nice coin.

I agree that ancient gold coins are quite addictive. They look nicer in hand than in seller/auction photos. Unfortunately, I am not as hard-working as panzerman. Guess I'll just budget myself to pick up a piece or two each year.

 

Nice pickup!