Watch List notes:

Justinian I, 527-565. Follis (Bronze, 37 mm, 22.08 g, 7 h), Constantinopolis, RY 16 = 542/3. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVI Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and shield, decorated with cavalryman riding over fallen enemy, in his left; in field to right, cross. Rev. Large M between A/N/N/O and X/ЧI; above, cross; below, B; in exergue, CON. DOC 41b. MIB 95. SB 163. Somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.


This coin was struck in Constantinopolis during the height of the Plague of Justinian, one of the deadliest pandemics in history, killing more than one third of the city's population. The emperor himself contracted the disease, but eventually recovered from it.