... coins, that is One of my several new acquisitions is a Byzantine (or East Roman or just Roman, whatever floats your galley) half-follis struck during the years of the Plague of Justinian, this coin bearing none other than, Justinian I himself. And it was struck in year 15 (corresponding to 542 AD, the very year the disease first hit the capital Constantinople). Named because it happened during his reign, the plague would afflict the emperor himself, but he ended up being one of the lucky ones. The Plague of Justinian was the worse outbreak of disease that hit the civilized world until the Black Death in the 1300s. Considering the circumstances, I imagine my coin had to have changed hands pretty quickly shortly after it was struck... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justinian_I http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian Justinian I, Byzantine emperor (reigned 527-565 AD) AE Half-follis Obv: DN IVSTINI-ANVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield, cross to right Rev: Large K, cross above, ANNO ("year") to left, regnal year (XV - 15) to right, gamma below Constantinople mint, struck 542 AD Ref: SB 164 27 mm wide, 10.6 gr.
Lol the mustashioed Justinian. Always do get a chuckle out of that one (no offense) I think mine has plague too. Poor guy must have had it really bad; his face looks like it got melted off! Thanks for the comments guys!
Great new pickup VK JUSTINIAN I AE Half Follis OBVERSE: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield with horseman motif, cross to right REVERSE: Large K, ANNO to left, chi-rho above, regnal year XVIIII to right, mintmark NI Struck at Nicomedia 545-6 AD 10.2g, 25mm SB 0203 JUSTINIAN I AE Follis OBVERSE: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: Large M, star to left, cross above, star right, officina letter below, mintmark CON Struck at Constantinople, 527-65 AD 10g, 28mm SB 160
oh cool VK, neat dated coin. the closest I have is this year 18 half follis, at least I think it's year 18, not 100% sure(on left, just ii and Sophia on right). these were my first byzantine coins...
Nice coin with a great story VK. I don't have any Byzantines yet. But the more posts I read in this ancient forum, the more I feel the urge to expand into new areas...I may now officially have an ancient problem....
