I picked this up as part of a Byzantine lot I purchased last week and it just arrived. Among the coins in the lot was this tiny (about 10mm) coin that I couldn't properly identify until I started to take some pictures. The monogram was clear as day which lead me to its proper identification, but the bust was very difficult to photograph. If I look at the coin without any magnification and slightly tilt it, I can spot it the bust. Byzantine Empire: Anastasius I (491-518 CE) Æ Nummus, Constantinople (Sear 13; DOC 15; MIBE 40) Obv: DN ANA-STASIVS PP AVG or similar; Bust facing right with diadem Rev: Monogram of Anastasius in wreath
I've got a couple of coins with monograms from uncleaned hoards. Very difficult to make heads or tails of them. Thank goodness for the coin reforms of Anastasius to create legible, large coins that folks could actually use.
I think that is typical for these, fortunately the monograms make them identifiable. Anastasius 491 to 498 AD Mint: Constantinople AE Nummus Obvs: Diademed bust right. Revs: Monogram of Anastasius. 8mm, 0.92g SB 13
This little nummus of Marcian has a bust and a few visible letters in the inscription: Marcian, AD 450-457 Roman Æ Half Centenionalis; 1.41 g, 10.3 mm, 12 h Constantinople, AD 450-457 Obv: D N MARCIANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right Rev: Monogram in wreath: Ꚛ above; CON in exergue Refs: RIC 546; RCV 21395
And let's not forget Leo I: Leo I, AD 457-474 Roman Æ Half Centenionalis; 0.82 gm; 10 mm Constantinople, AD 457-474 Obv: DN LEO, diademed and draped bust, right Rev: b E, Verina standing, holding transverse scepter and globus cruciger Refs: L LRBC II 2272; RIC 714; Sear 21436; Vagi 3739; MIRB 30.
