FFIVN and I went to a small coin show today that has 1 ancient dealer who is a pretty nice guy. Before we went to him though, we walked around and I met with another dealer who was interested in buying a few of my West Point quarters. I sold him 5 for $50 but ended up buying 2 nickels for our US Type Set album for $5. After that, we stopped by the ancients dealer and had a nice chat. He gave FFIVN a Judean prutah and an unidentified Greek coin with a lyre on one side and a tripod on the other. I told him I was interested in a Byzantine coin and he showed a few that were beautiful but out of my price range. Then he pulled out two that were more my speed. Even better? They were $45 total. I ended up spending $1.25 for 2 "V" nickels and 2 Byzantine Follis. I'm pretty happy with that Here they are: Romanus III 1028-1034 AD Class B anonymous follis Constantinople Obverse: IC-XC to right and left of bust of Christ facing with nimbate cross behind head, square in each limb of nimbus cross, holding book of gospels, a dot in center of dotted square on book Reverse: IS-XS BAS-ILE BAS-ILE to left and right above and below cross with dots at the ends, on three steps Justinian I 529-532 AD Obverse: DN IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG; Bust right Reverse: Large M between two stars; cross above, THEUP in exergue
Nice additions. Justinian I (527 - 565 A.D.) Æ Follis O: DN ISTINI-ANVS PP AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian facing, holding globus cruciger and a shield. R: Large M, cross above, ANNO left, regnal year XXXI right, G ( = officina 3 ) below, THEUP in ex. Theoupolis - Antiochia 18.64g 32mm SB 220