Justinian Solidus Arrived Today

Today, the mailman came to my door with a letter which is actually unusual because every time i have ordered a coin they have always been to lazy to actually come to my door and even when I am home they leave delivery notices in my mail box at the end of my street. (saying I wasn't home and that i have to go to the post office to pick up my package)


Anyway, i opened the letter and inside it was this coin


It's a shiny Golden Solidus of the Emperor Justinian weighing 4.51 grams and 21mm across that was struck between 527-538 AD at the 5th Officina of Constantinople.


Sear 137. DOC 3 (e). MIBE 5.
Obverse
DNIVSTINI ANVSPPAVG ("Our Lord Justinian, Father of the People, Augustus")

helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with soldier on horseback riding right
Reverse VICTORIA AVGGGЄ ("To the Victory of the Emperors")

Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right;
CONOB


My first Gold coin ( and my most expensive coin) I thought Justinian would be a good emperor to choose for my solidus, one of my favorite and probably the most famous of the Byzantine Emperors. ( and I think he is the only one to have his own 6 part YouTube video series covering the first 10 years of his reign)





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And here is my other coin of Justinian, A Follis I received last month.
(I had to walk to the post office to get this one)

38 MM 23 grams
CON (Constantinople), ANNO XIII (Year 13)(539-540 AD) E(5th Officina)(the same as my Solidus)
A solidus was worth 180 of these when they were first issued.


heres a few more pictures of the obverse

 

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Congratulations on a great coin and your first gold!

 

First gold is a great feeling isn't it? Congratulations. Just a note about your images. I know the bottom left is probably dark for the coin itself, but it's easiest on my eyes anyway. Great coin. Keep 'em coming.

 

Very nice coin, congrats.

 

Very nice!
Splendid coin that I would love to have.
Speaking of which...
I need to get around to playing this DLC one day

 

I did read David Sear's Byzantine Coins and their value in my summer holidays.

I am very sure that "PP" stands for "Perpetuus" or something like that. that means "for eternity" or "perpetual"

D(ominus) N(oster) Justinian P(er)P(ertus) AVG(ustus)

Our Lord Justinian Emperor for eternity

I have forgot what "VS" stands for.

Others may correct me.

 

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but the "VS" is part of the emperor's name.

IVSTINI ANVS = Justinianus

The separation was to make room for his fancy hat .

 

Oh, that sounds pretty logic. I have seen the name "Justianus" before.

that "VS" is "US" - Thanks for that

 

You're right, I had just read somewhere that it was short for "pater patriae" -Father of his country/people

 

Stunning gold piece.

 

Gorgeous coin---and I find the bottom right photo easier on MY old eyes LOL...

Congratulations!!!

 

Actually we're talking about the same image. I'm thinking left as on the image and you're thing right as you look at it.

 

Yeah, i agree, but that one was the auction photo lol..
the other ones were taken on my phone.

 

Congrats on the first Gold!!!

I like the bottom right photo the best. I do like the Solidus but your Follis is to die for!!!

I think I would like each of them more if they where mine!

 

that is a fantastic gold coin arnoldoe....congrats to you!

that's a nice follis as well, here's a justinian follis i picked up not to long ago..



i think the lower right picture of the obverse looks the best, don't know the look in hand of course but the details look best on that one i think.

and that little animated history series is pretty cool by the way!

 

Eastern Roman Empire
Nicomedia
Justinian I. 527-565.
AE Follis 39 mm x 21.96 grams
regnal year 14 (540/1).
Obverse: D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVC, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger and shield with horseman motif; in right field, cross.
Reverse: Large M; above, cross; across field, date (A/N/N/O X/II/II); A//NIK.
Ref: DOC 118a; MIBE 114; SB 201.
Note:Needs a reshoot!

 

Great new OP addition, arnoldoe (congrats on a very cool golden beauty)

I only have one example of this ruler ...

Justinian I



pizza-pizza ...

 

Yeah, but that one wasn't my pic, it was from the auction..

I would say the appearance is most like the main picture i used except the slightly weak strike on the face doesn't look as bad in person.

and nice coins as well.

 

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


JUSTINIAN I
AE Pentanummium
OBVERSE: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: Monogram of Cherson
Struck at Cherson, 527-65 AD
1.6g, 14mm
SB 197

 

You guys all have some terrific Justinian examples!! Mine is rather average and worn.