Watch List notes:

Justinian II, with Tiberius, second reign, 705-711. 'Hexagram' (Silver, 21 mm, 3.16 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator between two palm fronds, with cross behind head, holding book of Gospels in his left hand and raising his right in benediction. Rev. D N IЧS[TINIANЧS ЄT TIbЄRIЧS PP A'] Crowned half-length figures of Justinian II, on left, and Tiberius, on right, both wearing chlamys and holding between them, in their right hands, a cross potent on two steps. DOC -. MIB -. SB -. Unpublished and unique, a very interesting issue of great importance. Minor marks and somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.


Justinian II issued only a very a small number of silver 'hexagrams' in his second reign. They were struck from solidus dies and are all extremely rare today, indicating that they were not meant for regular circulation but served, rather, a ceremonial or commemorative role. The unexpected emergence of a new, hitherto unknown obverse type on such a 'hexagram' is, naturally, very exciting, and it begs the question of whether this apparently extremely short-lived issue was also struck in gold and handed out to important officials and generals on an important occasion, such as the elevation of Justinian's minor son Tiberius to co-emperor.