I was wondering if any Byzantine experts out there could help me with this. I recently got this Byzantine 12 nummi, the seller describing it as Maurice Tiberius, Sear 544. I'd tend to agree with this - it even has the dot below the cross, which is listed as a variation. My question comes, however, from the obverse legend, which looks like DN CON... to me. Which would make this, possibly, Tiberius II Constantine, Sear 460. There is a Vcoins listing that seems to have a similar obverse legend as mine: https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/lo..._12_nummi_alexandria_rare/904555/Default.aspx The legends on these tended to be blundered, so I gather from poking around the Internet, so perhaps there is no definitive answer. Or am I missing something obvious? The Vcoin example has a cross in the obverse legend, which is not on mine, so maybe I am way off track here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This one from Savoca is listed as Maurice, and looks similar. The legend is given as D M IONITANTINVS P P.
Yes, I can see that possibility. The IONITANTINVS version - thanks for bringing that to my attention. Sometimes I wish Byzantine celators were a bit more careful with their lettering!
I believe Maurice coins often have a legend that looks like it should be Tiberius II Constantine. Here's a Maurice decanummium that made me think the same thing: But the trefoil diadem means it's Maurice. (Or so I'm told, I don't know the justification for this.)
I don't know the justification either but have always heard the trefoil is Maurice and cross is Tiberius. However my examples have such normal legends it seems there would be no doubt. It would be nice if one of our Byzantine specialists would comment on the matter including who started the cross/trefoil distinctions.