Is this a tau-rho on a Justinian decanummium?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Gavin Richardson, Jun 29, 2017.

  1. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    So as I save up for a JC/Aeneas denarius, I’m going through my own junk box and ID’ing coins that have lain around way too long. This morning I am working on a decanummium of Justinian:

    OBVERSE: DN IVSTINI-ANVS PP AVG (?); diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
    REVERSE Large I between ANNO and XX U?

    Often the I on the reverse of these issues is surmounted by a cross; on this issue, however, the I seems surmounted by a type of staurogram or tau-rho. The figure actually looks like an R on top of the I. There’s a definite loop on the letter–it’s not a defect of the coin or patina; it’s in the die strike.

    I know next to nothing about Byzantine coins, but I haven’t been able to find an example of a tau-rho over the I. They all feature a regular cross.

    Am I seeing things? Is the tau-rho attested on these decanummii reverses?

    The first image below is a typical example at Ancient Imports for comparison purposes. (I hope they don’t mind the free advertising.) Below it is my coin.

    2kNSe9QfEdq4cP3g7GJdr6SK5HWjb8.jpg Justinian Decanummium 1.jpg
     
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  3. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

  4. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    I don't have my references, but you need to verify the ruler is Justinian. Some mints have nothing above the I. Not my coin.
    6Fgrx3YoRe8Q5etNHp9E42jTnZw26c.jpg
     
  5. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Good advice. But I'm pretty sure I can make out a "TIN" over the crown of the obverse bust. I suppose I have Justin and Justin II to choose from too, in my limited knowledge of Byzantines. But the eye test aligns this coin with bust types and legend breaks of Justinian. But I admit my ID is not conclusive.
     
  6. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    I can check when I get home, but that will be in a long time. I'm sure others will have an id by then.
     
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  7. Brian Bucklan

    Brian Bucklan Well-Known Member

    My guess is a decanummium of Justinian from Nikomedia with a star (not a cross) over the "I". Regnal year looks (kind of) like X/X/II
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2017
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  8. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    You're right about that regnal year. I didn't know stars could be above those I's. Thanks.
     
  9. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    If the year is 22 it almost assures it is Justinian I. I see some with a star but not for that year. Otherwise the only options I see is a cross. If it is year 22 and from Nikomedia then it is unpublished (at least in Sear).
     
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