With a bit of free time on my hands I decided to snap up photos of coins that either don't have them yet, or I only have seller's photos of. This was one of them, my half-siliqua of Justinian, from the mint at Ravenna. It is my only silver from Byzantine Italy and as they can get pricey, a budget example until I can throw out dough for a better one. It also completes my only full metal set for a Roman/Byzantine ruler (I have a solidus of Justinian and numerous bronzes). But I got it basically because Byzantine Italian coins (and to a larger extent, coins from other western mints like Carthage) is one of my areas in collecting. I've posted this coin a couple of times before but I've never formally "introduced" it, so this thread serves as this as well. Justinian, Byzantine Empire AR half-siliqua Obv: D N IVSTI-NIANVS P P AVG (?), pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev: Chi-rho on globe, star to left and right Mint: Ravenna Date: 540-565 AD Ref: SB 320 Seller's photo: I've spoken numerous times of the Byzantines in Italy, so here is a collection of my previous threads that go into the history a bit, if you are interested in reading: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coin-from-byzantine-italy-justinian-i.232793 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/born-into-war.265389 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/someone-slipped-me-a-coin-into-my-jail-cake.270472 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/not-pretty-but-im-not-complaining.277708 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/continuing-my-byzantine-italian-mini-spurge.265792 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-ravenna-bronze-of-justin-ii.264344/#post-2162936
I'd take it despite it's faults. Your photo is much better then the seller pic as yours shows more detail.
Incredible!! Your photo is vastly superior. I wish I could shoot photos that are better than the sellers I still routinely post. Sigh, I'll keep trying to......
Always nice to see siliquae and their fractions from the "Byzantine" period. Justinian I AD 527-565, AR Siliqua (15mm, 1.23 g) Carthage DN IVSTINIANVS PP AG; draped, cuir. and diademed bust r. VOT/MVLT/HTI in wreath; CONOS in ex Sear 253; very fine, toned Struck shortly after the reconquest.
A very rare coin indeed, Maximus. And one that isn't damaged beyond recognition like so many others from Carthage and Italy.
