Here is a page of reference works on Byzantine coins: http://esty.ancients.info/catalogs/Byzantine.html It was originally a page of auction sale-catalogs that illustrated excellent groups of AE coins. (There are too many to list with excellent groups of gold coins.) Then I realized that catalogs were not easy to obtain and I was writing for an exclusive group of serious collectors of Byzantine AE. Now it has been expanded and has reviews of books, including those a beginner might choose. On the other hand, if you are deeply into Byzantine coins you might want all of the references on that page. I'm sure most of you would rather see a coin than read reference works, so here is a coin: Tiberius II, 578-582, at Nicomedia. 30 mm. 13.41 grams. 6:00. Sear 441. His predecessor Justin II was insane and Tiberius II began his regnal numbering at the time he became regent for Justin II, but Tiberius II did not issue coins in his own name until late in his year IIII. Year IIII coins are rare. Year V coins are not uncommon and often large (up to 37 mm) and impressive. This one is from year 8 (V = 5; if the V bends at the top like this one, it is 6 by itself, so GII = 8) which is 581/2 AD.
Thanks for posting, @Valentinian! Your site is one of the best resources on the internet. And I'm all for more Byzantine in the forum.... here's my Tib II, which happens to be one of my favourites:
