I was checking out a few of the Byzantines my local store had. The owner's wife collects them, and he sells off coins she has shed from her collection. Some of them were way out of my price range (e.g. $1,200), but there was a beautiful Justin I full follis (with the M on the back) for $30. I think I'm going to pick it up the next time I go in. It was def. a pretty coin, and the portrait of Justin was really clear.
Jhonn, I'd definitely grab it.It's not easy to find coins of Justin I in good condition or any 6th-7th century coins for that matter,darn dark ages you know. Just go to Wildwinds and look at the coins they have listed for him,maybe 15 in all,same with Forum ancient coins. Here is my pitiful Justin Pentanumium ( "E" mark coin).The reverse isn't bad but the portrait on the obverse is almost unrecognizable. Here is a description of what the denomination marks are on Byzantine Follis. The largest denomination, the FOLLES, bore the mark of value “M” (40 nummi), the HALF FOLLES “K” (20 nummi), the DECANUMIUM “I” (10 nummi), and the PENTANUMIUM “E” (5 nummi), introduced at a later period under the Justinian dynasty.
biz My kids and I went to a coin show last winter and one of the promoters were giving byzantine coins (lumps) to the kids that came in. They looked like a pile of crust and the kids could not believe they were really coins. When we got home we cleaned them up and they were amazed to find they were actually coins under the crud. There was not enough detail to give a positive ID, But we narrowed it down within a couple hundred years. (not to bad considering the age!) My kids really enjoyed the whole process from cleaning to research. Just thought I would share.
Re: Ancient Byzantine Coins Dear Jhonn, I sent you private message. Please check your PM and kindly reply asap. Kindest regards, GOD bless you, B. Leon Z.Z. ANTIQUITIES, LTD. Jerusalem, Israel
