Valentinian Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 I have collected coins of Justinian from Antioch, partially because of the interesting history of the city at that time (It even changed its name to Theopolis, "City of God," because of earthquakes) and the variety of mintmarks used at that city. Rather than post all the coins here, take a look at my web page on them:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html Here is one that is not yet on that page: Sear 214Follis. 34-32 mm. 17.63 grams.Mintmark: +THEUPThis type with Justinian enthroned facing occurs only at Antioch/TheopolisStruck 531/2-536/7 [Hahn] 17 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted June 6, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 6, 2023 This is my entire Byzantine collection - three bronzes of Justinian... 16 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) Lots of interesting Anastasius I coins in this thread, in bronze, silver, and gold. And lots of interesting Justin I coins in this thread, in bronze and gold, but no silver. Byzantine silver coins seem to be relatively scarce. Only 5 Roman Emperors or Byzantine Emperors have the words "The Great" added to their name : Constantine I The Great (306 AD to 337 AD), Valentinian I The Great (364 AD to 375 AD), Theodosius I The Great (379 AD to 395 AD), Justinian I The Great (527 AD to 565 AD), and Manuel I The Great (1143 AD to 1180 AD). Justinian I The Great attempted to re-conquer the lands of the fallen Western Roman Empire, but in 542 AD a devastating outbreak of Bubonic Plague, known as the Plague Of Justinian, decimated the Byzantine Empire's population. This untimely event may have been a factor, in Justinian I's failure to fully re-conquer it all. In spite of that, Justinian I managed to re-conquer a lot of it, as shown in the map below. Justinian I even caught the Bubonic Plague himself, but he survived. Here's my favorite side facing Justinian I, and my favorite front facing Justinian I, in my collection. Both are 40 nummi bronze coins. During the 12th year of Justinian I's reign, circa 539 AD, the side facing bust disappeared, and was replaced with a front facing bust, on most 40 nummi bronze coins. After that, there were very few side facing busts on 40 nummi bronze coins. At the same time, the regnal year was added to the reverse. On my side facing coin's obverse, it looks like, there may be traces of a previous strike, to the left of the Emperor's neck, and to the right of the Emperor's mouth, chin, and neck. Do either of these portraits, resemble Justinian I in reality? I don't know. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. 527 AD To 538 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 158. DO 28c. Diameter 31.2 mm. Weight 18.27 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Right. Reverse : Large M Mint "CON" Officina Gamma Under Large M. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 13. 539 AD To 540 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 163. Diameter 40.0 mm. Weight 23.02 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Front. Reverse : Large M Mint "CON" Officina E Under Large M. Edited June 6, 2023 by sand 16 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 17 hours ago, Simon said: Justinian I, 527-565. Follis (Bronze, 33 mm, 14.71 g, 7 h), Theoupolis (Antiochia), 533-537. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Justinian I to right. Rev. Large M between two stars; above, cross; below, Γ; in exergue, +THEЧP+. DOC 210c. MIB 126. SB 216. Repatinated, otherwise, good very fine Great example for the type 🤩! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 4 hours ago, sand said: Lots of interesting Anastasius I coins in this thread, in bronze, silver, and gold. And lots of interesting Justin I coins in this thread, in bronze and gold, but no silver. Byzantine silver coins seem to be relatively scarce. Only 5 Roman Emperors or Byzantine Emperors have the words "The Great" added to their name : Constantine I The Great (306 AD to 337 AD), Valentinian I The Great (364 AD to 375 AD), Theodosius I The Great (379 AD to 395 AD), Justinian I The Great (527 AD to 565 AD), and Manuel I The Great (1143 AD to 1180 AD). Justinian I The Great attempted to re-conquer the lands of the fallen Western Roman Empire, but in 542 AD a devastating outbreak of Bubonic Plague, known as the Plague Of Justinian, decimated the Byzantine Empire's population. This untimely event may have been a factor, in Justinian I's failure to fully re-conquer it all. In spite of that, Justinian I managed to re-conquer a lot of it, as shown in the map below. Justinian I even caught the Bubonic Plague himself, but he survived. Here's my favorite side facing Justinian I, and my favorite front facing Justinian I, in my collection. Both are 40 nummi bronze coins. During the 12th year of Justinian I's reign, circa 539 AD, the side facing bust disappeared, and was replaced with a front facing bust, on most 40 nummi bronze coins. After that, there were very few side facing busts on 40 nummi bronze coins. At the same time, the regnal year was added to the reverse. On my side facing coin's obverse, it looks like, there may be traces of a previous strike, to the left of the Emperor's neck, and to the right of the Emperor's mouth, chin, and neck. Do either of these portraits, resemble Justinian I in reality? I don't know. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. 527 AD To 538 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 158. DO 28c. Diameter 31.2 mm. Weight 18.27 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Right. Reverse : Large M Mint "CON" Officina Gamma Under Large M. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 13. 539 AD To 540 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 163. Diameter 40 mm. Weight 23.02 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Front. Reverse : Large M Mint "CON" Officina E Under Large M. The year 13 follis is a wonderful strike, & fortunately it wasn't over cleaned 🤩. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 11 hours ago, Octavius said: This is my entire Byzantine collection - three bronzes of Justinian... Three great examples 🤩! The patina on the Theoupolis follis is stunning 😍. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) I noticed that 3 large follis from the Nicomedia mint were posted on this thread & wondered what they would look like together on one post 🤔. So I took the liberty of combining them along with one example from my collection. The 1st example is from the 1st officina & the other 3 are from the 2nd officina. The quality standards at the Nicomedia mint were at a very high level 😊. Edited June 6, 2023 by Al Kowsky correction 13 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) @Al Kowsky Nice Nicomedia follis. By process of elimination, I deduce that yours is the one with the red background. Here's my favorite Nicomedia follis, in my collection. The most obvious difference in style, that I see, between the Nicomedia folles, versus the Constantinople folles, is the style of the eyes. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 12. 538 AD To 539 AD. Nicomedia Mint. Sear 201. DO 116b.1. Diameter 44.0 mm. Weight 21.73 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Front. Reverse : Large M Mint "NIK" Officina B Under Large M. Edited June 6, 2023 by sand 14 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wittwolff Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 Here one facing and one profile bust: 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted June 6, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2023 1 minute ago, Severus Alexander said: Nope, nope, nope with extra nope sauce!! Check the schedule… there’s a 48h window, we still have nearly 24h of Justinian before the switch. 😝 I love the enthusiasm though!! Uh oh. My bad. I will delete the offending post. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severus Alexander Posted June 6, 2023 · Supporter Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 57 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said: Uh oh. My bad. I will delete the offending post. No worries. I didn’t know we could delete posts now, cool! I’ll delete the bad cop Constantinopolis, since she’s no longer needed. 😁 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 6, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) The folles and half folles of Justinian I have been the "mother lode" of Byzantine bronzes for a few decades for me. The folles are large and historically important. I've accumulated quite assortment. Here are a few. Antioch, officina B, circa 531-537 AD. SB 214 15.0 grams Rome, half follis,537-542 AD. From Roma E-Sale 83, lot 900. Sear 301 7.0 grams Antioch, year 13 (539/40 AD). 22.7 grams My first follis, from Harlan Berk, late 1980s. Constantinople, year 32, (558/59 AD). From Roma E-Sale 95, lot 1471. Sear 163 17.96 grams Antioch, Year 38 (555/56 AD). 19.80 grams Edited June 6, 2023 by robinjojo 14 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 4 hours ago, sand said: @Al Kowsky Nice Nicomedia follis. By process of elimination, I deduce that yours is the one with the red background. Here's my favorite Nicomedia follis, in my collection. The most obvious difference in style, that I see, between the Nicomedia folles, versus the Constantinople folles, is the style of the eyes. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 12. 538 AD To 539 AD. Nicomedia Mint. Sear 201. DO 116b.1. Diameter 44.0 mm. Weight 21.73 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Front. Reverse : Large M Mint "NIK" Officina B Under Large M. sand, lovely coin & huge, 44 mm 😲. The year 12 coins are far less common than year 13. There are many subtle differences between the Nicomedia & Constantinople mints, planchet diameter & roundness being two, & I agree with you about the eyes 😉. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellinore Posted June 6, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 6, 2023 My Justinian portraits. Justinian arguably has the most striking pictures of all the Byzantine Empire. Byzantium, Justinian follis, yr. 13 (538), minted in CONstantinopel. SB 163, DOC 37-61. Byzantium, Justinian, 20 nummi. Diademed bust r. Rev.: Large, fat K. Left cross with T H E U = Theupolis, or Antioch. Right a letter, maybe Z or Delta. Strike unequal. 24.5 mm, 7.78 gr. Byzantium, Justinianus, 16 nummi, Thessalonici. Draped, laureated and cuirassed bust t.r./ Large IS, flanked by A – P. TES in exergue. 26 mm, 6.78 gr. And then there's this barbarous Justinian: 'Constantinopolis?', Justinian, 40 nummi, barbarous imitation. Obv. Crude bust right. DNIVSTIAIANVSPPA. Rev. Big fat M. CON in mirror lettering. Stars left and right. Cross above. 30 mm, 11.30 gr. 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 4 hours ago, wittwolff said: Here one facing and one profile bust: wittwolff, Lovely presentation of these coins 😊! The follis that's been drilled as a pendant demonstrates that these coins were more than money, they were sacred keepsakes for many people. The fact that so many large Byzantine follis survived, especially during periods when copper was scarce, proves their enduring popularity 🤩. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 24 minutes ago, robinjojo said: The folles and half folles of Justinian I have been the "mother lode" of Byzantine bronzes for a few decades for me. The folles are large and historically important. I've accumulated quite assortment. Here are a few. Antioch, officina B, circa 531-537 AD. SB 214 15.0 grams Rome, half follis,537-542 AD. From Roma E-Sale 83, lot 900. Sear 301 7.0 grams Antioch, year 13 (539/40 AD). 22.7 grams My first follis, from Harlan Berk, late 1980s. Constantinople, year 32, (558/59 AD). From Roma E-Sale 95, lot 1471. Sear 163 17.96 grams Antioch, Year 38 (555/56 AD). 19.80 grams robinjojo, Wondeful group of bronze coins 🤩! My favorites are the example you scored from H.J. Berk & the late issue from Antioch 😍. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2023 12 minutes ago, Pellinore said: My Justinian portraits. Justinian arguably has the most striking pictures of all the Byzantine Empire. Byzantium, Justinian follis, yr. 13 (538), minted in CONstantinopel. SB 163, DOC 37-61. Byzantium, Justinian, 20 nummi. Diademed bust r. Rev.: Large, fat K. Left cross with T H E U = Theupolis, or Antioch. Right a letter, maybe Z or Delta. Strike unequal. 24.5 mm, 7.78 gr. Byzantium, Justinianus, 16 nummi, Thessalonici. Draped, laureated and cuirassed bust t.r./ Large IS, flanked by A – P. TES in exergue. 26 mm, 6.78 gr. And then there's this barbarous Justinian: 'Constantinopolis?', Justinian, 40 nummi, barbarous imitation. Obv. Crude bust right. DNIVSTIAIANVSPPA. Rev. Big fat M. CON in mirror lettering. Stars left and right. Cross above. 30 mm, 11.30 gr. Pellinore, Great group of bronzes 😊! The barbarous 40 nummi is a gem 🤩. I guess the real coinage must have been scarce in Germania 🤔. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted June 6, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 6, 2023 My only Byzantine coin.Justinian Half Follis, 541-542Nicomedia. Bronze, 29mm, 11.00g. Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and shield with his left; D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVI. A/N/N/O to left, XЧ (regnal year 15) to right, Large K; above, Christogram; below, mintmark NI (BCV 203). 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Simon Posted June 6, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2023 Not Gorgeous, the brown hurts the beautiful green patina, but it still has its admirable qualities, large Antioch half follis. S-230? 8.7gm and 25.66mm Acquired in a group lot from a German collection. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jims,Coins Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 (edited) minted at Cyzicus during the reign of Justinian I between 1 Aug. 527 – 14 Nov. 565 with a regnal date (XXII) of 548/9. Obv. D.N.IVSTINIANVS.P.P.AVG.: Helmeted and cuir. bust facing, holding gl. cr. and shield; to r. cross. Rev. Large M between A/N/N/O and numerals representing regnal year, beneath which. Rarely crescent; above, cross; beneath, officina letter; in ex., KYZ BCVS #207. pentanummium – minted at Theopolis during the reign of Justinian I between 1 Aug. 527 – 14 Nov. 565 Obv. D.N.IVSTINIANVS.PF.AVG.: Diad., dr. and cuir. bust r. Rev. Large E with cross at centre. To r. x. BCVS #243. Bust r/Large E, VF/VF-EF, sl irregular flan, dark green patina with earthen highlighting, portrait with reasonable detail, rev particularly bold. Nice for this. Edited June 7, 2023 by Jims,Coins 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wittwolff Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 @Al Kowsky 9 hours ago, Al Kowsky said: wittwolff, Lovely presentation of these coins 😊! The follis that's been drilled as a pendant demonstrates that these coins were more than money, they were sacred keepsakes for many people. The fact that so many large Byzantine follis survived, especially during periods when copper was scarce, proves their enduring popularity 🤩. Its interesting that the mints of the Empire where holy places (Moneta sacra). This possibly gave the coinage somekind of heavenly blessing and protection. I guess minting fake coins would make you kind of a heretic. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 2 hours ago, wittwolff said: @Al Kowsky Its interesting that the mints of the Empire where holy places (Moneta sacra). This possibly gave the coinage somekind of heavenly blessing and protection. I guess minting fake coins would make you kind of a heretic. And being caught minting fake coins would make you a headless body 🤣. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 12 hours ago, John Conduitt said: My only Byzantine coin.Justinian Half Follis, 541-542Nicomedia. Bronze, 29mm, 11.00g. Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and shield with his left; D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVI. A/N/N/O to left, XЧ (regnal year 15) to right, Large K; above, Christogram; below, mintmark NI (BCV 203). I like the way they squeezed in the "P cross" & mintmark 😊. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wittwolff Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 4 hours ago, Al Kowsky said: And being caught minting fake coins would make you a headless body 🤣. Addinionally 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted June 7, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2023 Weren't the Justinian I facing folles minted during, or immediately after the year of the sun being blotted out? Perhaps they were a celebration of the sun coming back? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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