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Message:: [QUOTE="nerosmyfavorite68, post: 8263035, member: 134416"]I've always loved the mainland Italian Byzantine mints but after Justinian they become increasingly scarce and expensive. I became very attracted to the lovely Ravenna Solidi in coin references, witht the neat annular border.  That's a bucket list coin. This type seems somewhat common for such a late time in Byzantine Italy? But it's not something one comes across every day.  It's small and is in fairly good shape for the type, but it was ugly on day one.  The seller has the reverse first, I believe.  Looks better in hand. Anyway, I'm sure the non-Byzantine collectors won't be too impressed by my ugly little guy but I'm kind of excited to have an issue from Rome so late in the game.  After Constantine IV it's pretty much fuhgettaboutit unless one has Bill Gates' type money. The Heraclius 20 nummi cost 3 times as much. [ATTACH=full]1457596[/ATTACH]Constantine IV (668-685). Æ 20 Nummi (14mm, 1.58g, 6h). Rome. Crude crowned facing bust, holding spear. R/ Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and Tiberius; small X/X between, cross above, ROM. MIB 115; DOC 83; Sear 1234.  ex London Ancient Coins. I remember Pegasi having a tray of mainland Italian Byzantines at a c. 2010 show.  They had a 40 nummi Heraclius of Ravenna, but wanted $700. What was the population of Rome in 670? Probably under 10,000? Oh, I got my first Catania in the same order.[/QUOTE]