BYZANTINE EMPIRE. Justinian I. 527-565. Æ half follis. 11.3 gm. 29 mm. Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Dated RY 12 (538/9). His helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield; cross to right / Large K; A/N/N/O to left, XII (date) to right, cross above, E below. SB 165. Very Fine; green and brown patina; cleaning marks on obverse; well centered and well struck on a full round flan.

Justinian I ruled the Byzantine Empire for almost four decades, a Golden Age of territorial expansion, achievements in ecclesiastical architecture, etc. He is perhaps most noted for codifying Roman law, thereby passing down for generations to come the best in the legal system that had evolved over many centuries