Recently acquired this monogram coin that, as the title says, has me really scratching my head. It was listed as Justinian I with monogram 4 (scroll down to Justinian I: http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/monograms.htm). But I haven't found a coin of him with that same monogram (so I don't know what size it is either). It greatly resembles the monogram of Matasuntha, wife of Ostrogothic king Witiges, but the only problem with this is that the AE coinage bearing this monogram struck in Justinian's name is half-follis sized (20-ish mm wide), while my coin is only 10-11 mm. Also, monogram 4 for Justinian in the Helvetica's Excel sheet for monograms is the Matasuntha monogram half-follis (Wildwinds also has the half-follis coin listed). If it weren't for the rather long obverse legend, I'd consider Odoacer's monogram also, perhaps struck in the name of Zeno. I am fairly certain though that it is from Ostrogothic or Byzantine Italy, judging from the bust style. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks. Seller's scan (The coin does not look any better in hand unfortunately, but I have it soaking): My edited version to bring out the details a bit more:
VK I'd say it is a Justinian monogram. Note that Justinian's fourth monogram is nearly the same as Matasuntha's, except for the S above and the K below her's. As I can't see those letters in your pictures, I'm going with Justinian. Edit: I just read your post again, and those diameters pose some real problems. Could it be an imitation?
I know, but I haven't found a coin with monogram 4 without the S and the K, plus I have no idea on its size to accurately compare it. I'm sure its in Justinian's name but the question is to whom does the monogram belong to?
Sorry Jango ... I am absolutely awful at identifying worn coins (they all start looking like Rorschach pictures)
The lettering seems to be N I V S ? What confuses me is that the loop of the letter on the right seems to be half the length of the A which makes it AP rather than AD and more like a Marcian mono. I'm only going on what I've seen on monogram listings as I've never owned one or researched any, so.....feel free to ignore my observations.....its late!
well I didnt see any of the things suggested on the cards....card 4 looks like a Hells Angel riding a Harley towards me!! Its late......
I actually managed to figure this one out. I tried rotating the reverse again for like the 100th time, this time though I found that by rotating it 180 degrees, it turns out it is the pentanummiun type with the large letter E and with a cross to right, like this example:
To me it looks to be the border of what looks like an oval-shaped localized bit of very light corrosion (for lack of a better description). Coin seems safe though, so no worries here. BTW I have the coin attributed. This is based on bust/reverse style and whats left of the obverse legend: Justin II, Byzantine emperor AE Pentanummium Obv: DN IVSTINVS PP AV, pearl-diademed, draped bust right Rev: Large epsilon, cross to right, all within wreath Ravenna mint SB 416
Scratch that, its Justinian. I saw the extra obverse letters and found a couple of matching Justinian examples online. Its SB 309b/MIBE N230 from Rome mint.
