I am giving up coin collecting...

eddiespin · Sep 29, 2015

Some solid pocket change there, I'm impressed!

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Mikey Zee · Sep 29, 2015

V -K, arnoldoe and M-man....Beautiful examples of a gold solidus I still do not own. My closest is a tremissis of Heraclius....and very nearly a gold Greek that I posted a few days ago...

Best of luck with your 'better half' V-K

Congrats all!!!

David Atherton · Sep 29, 2015

Wow! Great write-up and awesome coin VK!!

harris498 · Sep 29, 2015

Those are some great looking gold coins, y'all.

Aidan_() · Sep 29, 2015

Twas a valiant move VK. Great piece.

Mikey Zee said: ↑

V -K, arnoldoe and M-man....Beautiful examples of a gold solidus I still do not own. My closest is a tremissis of Heraclius....and very nearly a gold Greek that I posted a few days ago...

Best of luck with your 'better half' V-K

Congrats all!!! View attachment 442763
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Very nice Mikey, is that your pic of the coin?

Kirkuleez · Sep 29, 2015

chrsmat71 said: ↑

you know, my wife actually own a gold coin...and i dont!
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What tha?!

Mikey Zee · Sep 29, 2015

Aidan_() said: ↑

Very nice Mikey, is that your pic of the coin?
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Nope, the sellers photo...mine are just occasionally as good---mostly NOT!! LOL

Magnus Maximus · Sep 29, 2015

I need to post my Tremissis here. Off to search the old Hard Drive!

Eng · Sep 30, 2015

Wow Jeff, super coin, i see why you bought it..

Collecting Nut · Sep 30, 2015

chrsmat71 said: ↑

what a lovely coin VK...and a great little write up about justinian.

you know, my wife actually own a gold coin...and i dont!
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Now that's a serious problem.

John Anthony · Sep 30, 2015

Great choice VK. I agree that the style is excellent. Also, you've got perfectly clear facial features, which is sometimes tough on forward-facing portraits. Great write-up as well.

Onofrio Bacigalupo · Sep 30, 2015

ValiantKnight said: ↑

... more like just coin buying ... since I will be imprisoned in an escape-proof covered steel wagon for a long while because of this purchase:

Justinian, Byzantine Empire
AV solidus
Obv: D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG delta, angel standing facing, holding P-headed cross and cross on globe, star in right field
Mint: Constantinople (Mintmark: CONOB)
Ref: SB 140
Size: 20.75 mm, 4.49 gr.
(info from Wildwinds)

I finally took the plunge and got myself a solidus (my first one. Not my first gold coin; that honor goes to my tremissis of Anastasius). Any late Roman and early Byzantine solidus up until Justinian would have been fine for me as long as it looked nice and was a price I can agree with. With early Byzantine solidii the styles vary widely from beautifully detailed and proportional to flat and awkward (most of the 7th century solidii falls into the latter IMO with all of the line art-looking style, probably why I'll never get one unless it was really relatively cheap, or from a rare mint like Rome). It was kind of a personal mission for me to acquire a Justinian solidus with a style that I really liked, and fortunately I came across this one.

Justinian I (birth name: Petrus Sabbatius) was emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) from 527 to 565 AD. His uncle was Justin, a guard with the Excubitors (the imperial guard) who would soon become emperor after Anastasius' death. Justin adopted Petrus Sabbatius (and thus giving Petrus his new name Justinian, indicating that he is Justin's adopted son) and brought him to live in Constantinople. There Justinian also served with the Excubitors for some time, and became one of Justin's close associates when Justin became Roman emperor in 518.

Over the next decade, Justinian quickly grew in importance, becoming consul and the overall commander of the army in the east. With his uncle's death in 527, Justinian became Roman Emperor. As emperor, Justinian actively participated in the running of his empire, and became known as the "emperor who never sleeps". One of his lasting achievements was the compilation of all Roman law up to that point: the Codex Justinianus.

He was nearly deposed and killed however, when in 532, supporters of the two popular chariot teams in Constantinople joined together and demanded the removal of several unpopular officials. They then turned their efforts to deposing Justinian himself. The Nika Riots were the worst instance of civil disobedience in the Constantinople's history, and Justinian was ready to flee the capital when he was convinced to stay and put down the rioters by his wife, the courtesan-turned-empress Theodora. Justinian then took charge and order his generals Belisarius and Mundus (both would later gain fame fighting in the Gothic War) to put down the riots with force of arms. The Church of the Holy Wisdom did not escape the devastation inflicted by the riots, and would later be rebuilt on an even grander scale on Justinian's orders, and would become world famous as the Hagia Sofia.

An important long-term goal of Justinian was to recover for the Roman Empire the western territories that were lost to the barbarians in the 5th century ("renovatio imperii", the restoration of the empire). The jewel in this crown was the city of Rome, now under the control of King Theodoric and his Goths. After concluding peace with the Persians, Justinian launched an invasion against the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa. After achieving victory in that war Justinian sent his armies to also invade Ostrogoth-held Italy and Visigoth-held Hispania. Italy was fully reconquered and southern Hispania ended up back in imperial control. Ultimately these expensive wars of reconquest produced fleeting results; most of the newly won territories would be lost over the next two centuries.

Justinian died in 565 AD, and was succeeded by his niece's husband, Justin II.

Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire at its greatest extent under Justinian, 555 AD:

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Congratulations on the purchase and on being a scholar!

ValiantKnight · Sep 30, 2015

Thanks all for the compliments! If you have not done so please post your Roman/Byzantine solidii, thanks!

Alegandron · Sep 30, 2015

@ValiantKnight that is a fantastic capture! I just acquired a Justinian AE and read up on the history. Your write up is perfect. (helped me recall his life). I am still on the prowl for gold...and since I chase RR, that gold is just too rich for me... For now...

Omg! @Ancientnoob wasnt that pic from the great movie "The War Wagon". I saw that when the movie first came out!

swamp yankee · Sep 30, 2015

TIF said: ↑

Worth it! Sometimes sacrifices are required. Congratulations on acquiring this historical treasure and thanks for the fine writeup .
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One great coin/congrats and thanks for the write up too.....

dlhill132 · Oct 1, 2015

VK,nice write-up, and cool coins everyone.

Doug H.

kaosleeroy108 · Oct 1, 2015

Ancientnoob said: ↑

Excellent choice. I like the awkward bust! A testament to the time.
As far as a wagons go there are a few models that can be adapted.

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World's first tank..lol

Collecting Nut said: ↑

So this is what happens on the Dark Side is it?
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Mikey Zee · Oct 1, 2015

Sweet gold, Dihill ....And wonderful details!!!

ValiantKnight · Oct 2, 2015

I agree, very nice Dihill! The Theo II is my favorite of the two.

Gil-galad · Oct 2, 2015

Very nice, VK. Way outside my budget range and I can see you not spending much for awhile. Those coins can be very expensive for sure.

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I am giving up coin collecting...

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I am giving up coin collecting...

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Kirkuleez 80 proof

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Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

Eng Senior Eng

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John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

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Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

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