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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ValiantKnight, post: 2186955, member: 44210&quot;]Lately added three to my collection (of which I&#039;ve shown two so far), but this is a big one for me since I&#039;ve really wanted for a long time a rare half-follis struck in Rome (I&#039;m still looking for the follis at the right price, however).</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve told about the pivotal conflict that was the Gothic War between the Eastern Romans/Byzantines and the Ostrogoths in previous threads, so I&#039;ll just add this time that these Rome mint half-folles of Justinian were struck right after first capture of Rome by the Roman army in 537 and struck until around 542 AD. This latter date coincides with the resurgence under King Totila of the previously weakened and demoralized Goths. After decisive victories in Verona and at Faventia in that year, the Goths quickly overran most of Italy at the expense of the disunited (and not to mention broke) Roman leadership. I&#039;d imagine the loss of most of Italy (with the exception of Rome, Ravenna and a few other cities and fortresses) made it very difficult to transport large amounts of metal to Rome, and this led to the cessation of minting there until the second capture of Rome by the Romans in the spring of 547 AD.</p><p><br /></p><p>Byzantine Rome mint bronzes of this time retained the cruder style present on Ostrogothic bronze coins, namely the bowl haircut, the thick bust features, and the wreath border on the reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Justinian I</u>, Eastern Roman Empire</b></p><p>AE half-follis</p><p><b>Obv</b>: D N IVSTI-NIANVS P P AVG, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right</p><p><b>Rev</b>: Large K, star to left, cross to right, all within wreath</p><p><b>Mint</b>: Rome (struck 537-542 AD)</p><p><b>Ref</b>: SB 301</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/LurkingNinja/justinianromehalffollis_zpsahlfz8wg.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>(seller&#039;s photo, not in hand yet)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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