Perhaps the most famous Byzantine emperor is Justinian, 527-565 AD. An ancient author, Procopius wrote two books about him that are still extant "History of the Wars of Justinian" and "Secret History" which provide more than enough gossip about Justinian and his wife Theodora to entertain the reader. There are, of course, modern biographies too. Among other things, Justinian reconquered parts of North Africa from the Vandals and reinstituted Byzantine coinage at Carthage after it was retaken in 533/4. The coin reform of year 12 which produced the huge coins at Constantinople and nearby mints did not reach Carthage until year 13. Here is an example of the first issue that I just got from the recent Naumann auction. The first reform issue at Carthage was of year XIII and had mintmark KAR and officina "SO" ("Sole officina"(?) according to Grierson) and lasted only one year, after which the mint was indicated by "CAR" (instead of "KAR") and the officina mark became "S"). Here is the seller's photo: It is 41-38 mm, very large. (I don't know why their reverse image was smaller than the obverse image.) The photo captures the lovely surface very well. Note the horseman spearing horizontal foe on the shield. Carthage mint. Year 13 = 539/540 AD. Sear 260. DO I 291, plate XLIII. BN plate XVIII "AE/20". Hahn MIBE 194. Grierson --. One thing to like about Byzantine AE is that you can find interesting coins that compare well to museum and published coins. Byzantine AE is often in lousy condition. After you get used to that, you can enjoy a coin for its historical interest and relative attractiveness. In this case, even the major published books do not have a preferable specimen.
Nice coin @Valentinian . Thanks for the writeup. I am also getting a Justinian from Naumann. I just received a fedex notification so I should have it in 2 days. JUSTINIAN I (527-565). GOLD Solidus. (21 mm, 4.49 g) Constantinople. Obv: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG. Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield. Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG Θ / CONOB. Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by cross and globus cruciger; star to right. Sear 139. Condition: Very fine. Ex: Numismatik-Nauman auction 48, Lot 693 November 20, 2016.
Fantastic coin, Warren! I also love Roman coins from Carthage, here is my Siliqua of Emperor Justinian that was struck shortly after the reconquest. Justinian I AD 527-565, AR Siliqua (15mm, 1.23 g) Carthage DN IVSTINIANVS PP AG; draped, cuir. and diademed bust r. VOT/MVLT/HTI in wreath; CONOS in ex Sear 253; very fine, toned
@ValiantKnight In case you missed this, I would like to hear if you can determine what ruler is that 12 nummi of Alexandria: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/id...or-justin-i-or-justin-ii.286820/#post-2574517 Anyway, back to the topic: Congratulations! – I have Justinian from 3 odd mint places: Thessaloniki, Ravenna and Carthage: But there is one half nummi from Carthage of Justinian on sale that is so stunning: from: https://www.ma-shops.com/cgb/item.php5?id=107728&lang=en Note that the legends say IVSTINIANI, and not IVSTINIANUS. - And the exergue says "KAR" not "CAR".
Some very nice examples shown. Really like the OP coin, and the Rome mint example is tough to find and quite nice. Here's a mint and coin that you will rarely come upon. This is without doubt the scarcest Justinian bronze in my collection: Half Follis of Justinian from Perugia, with the INDI II (Indictional Year 2) reverse. I did see one in the Dumbarton Oaks collection but that's about it.
i'll post this MT of carthage, has the indiction year like @Brian Bucklan 's cool coin....i like those! Maurice Tiberius, 587-588 AD, Decanummium O: Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust left; DNMA (VRI)CI, IND ς (zeta, date year 6) in ex. R:Cross set on three steps; N M flanking; X in exergue. Carthage mint. SB 566. 18 mm, 3.9 g.
Great examples, fellas ... I have an example from around this time period (well, just before this time period) => good ol' Vandal Horse!! VANDALS IN CARTHAGE, Æ 21 NUMMI Date: 523-533 AD Size: 20.26 mm Weight: 6.28 grams Obverse: Soldier standing facing Reverse: Head of horse left, XXI in exergue Attribution: MEC 45
Speaking of Maurice Tiberius... Maurice Tiberius, Byzantine Empire AV solidus Obv: D N mAVRC TIb PP AVI, diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger in left hand Rev: VICTORI-A AVGG ∆, Victory standing facing, holding long staff surmounted with staurogram in left hand and globus cruciger in right hand Mint: Constantinople Mintmark: CONOB Date: 582-602 Ref: SB 476 Size: 4.29 g., 21 mm wide
I have only a couple rough Justinians. I do not focus on Byzantinian coins, but I really liked this Emperor as he was a Bad-As fighting to regain the Empire. BZ Justinian I 527-565 CE AE30 Folles 12-2g 40 Nummi M monogram BZ Justinian I 527-565 CE AE Folles 30mm 17g 40 Nummi M monogram
