Hi I just want to hear your opinion regarding a weird attribution from a vcoin-store. This coin here is attributed as an Arab-Byzantine: From: https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/n_...ythopolis_beth_shan_mint/1672607/Default.aspx I am pretty sure this is a Byzantine from Cyzicus, and not an Arab-Byzantine one from Scythopolis (Beth Shan) mint as the seller has labelled it. In case you have a strong opinion I want to hear it. Thanx.
I agree that your coin is Byzantine, Justin I and Sophia seated type, Cyzicus, RY 10. That's a nice example with very good detail and centering. Here's a Scythopolos follis for comparison. Byzantine-Arab follis, Scythopolos, Baysan, circa 660-80. 11.06 grams Here's an interesting variation on your Cyzicus follis. This coin was produced by a moving or military mint and was patterned after the Cyzicus follis of RY 10. Justin II and Sophia, follis, Cyzicus, 565-578 AD, officina A, RY 10, military mint. 9.66 grams Note how oval-shaped the figures are on the obverse. Also the lettering on the reverse is somewhat larger and thinner. An article about these coins can be found on JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44710192
Seems like a lot of Byzantine coins from this era are attributed as Arab Byzantine. OP, I would say the one you posted is the nicest and most clearly Byzantine I have ever seen that done to however. It was a messy period, with ill struck coins, official Byzantine, local imitations, and Arab Byzantine all being struck looking similar.
