The Coin Cabinet
Auction 71 28 Sep 2022
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Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5, slight bend | GREECE. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. Justinian I (527-565).
Bronze follis, 541/2. Constantinople.
Justinian I 482-565, inherited the throne from his uncle Justin I in 527. Justinian is best known for his very ambitious Renovatio imperii, or Restoration of the (Roman) Empire. Ultimately this ambition was only partly realised but still impressive, resulting in the reconquest of Italy, Spain, and North Africa from the Ostrogoth and Vandal tribes.
This piece, introduced in 538 at the height of Justinian's power, is of the "heavy" variety, averaging 50mm in diameter and 20g in weight. The purpose of this unusually large coin has been the subject of considerable academic debate.
It has been suggested by some that an influx of gold from the North African conquest brought with it inflationary pressures that led to the devaluation of the gold solidus in relation to the copper follis, and that this new size was an attempt to remedy the disrupted gold/copper ratio.
Others have argued that this coin's purpose was propaganda and PR. The larger coin providing a larger canvas for Justinian to display his success and prestige to the wider population.
Regardless, the experiment with the larger follis didn't work for very long as the weight and size was quickly reduced soon after.
Helmeted, cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield; cross to right "DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG" / Large M between A/N/N/O and numerals representing the regnal year, cross above, officina letter beneath, CON in exergue.
Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5, slight bend.
Diameter: 51 mm.
Weight: 21.25 g.
Composition: Bronze.
PLEASE NOTE: 6% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.
Bronze follis, 541/2. Constantinople.
Justinian I 482-565, inherited the throne from his uncle Justin I in 527. Justinian is best known for his very ambitious Renovatio imperii, or Restoration of the (Roman) Empire. Ultimately this ambition was only partly realised but still impressive, resulting in the reconquest of Italy, Spain, and North Africa from the Ostrogoth and Vandal tribes.
This piece, introduced in 538 at the height of Justinian's power, is of the "heavy" variety, averaging 50mm in diameter and 20g in weight. The purpose of this unusually large coin has been the subject of considerable academic debate.
It has been suggested by some that an influx of gold from the North African conquest brought with it inflationary pressures that led to the devaluation of the gold solidus in relation to the copper follis, and that this new size was an attempt to remedy the disrupted gold/copper ratio.
Others have argued that this coin's purpose was propaganda and PR. The larger coin providing a larger canvas for Justinian to display his success and prestige to the wider population.
Regardless, the experiment with the larger follis didn't work for very long as the weight and size was quickly reduced soon after.
Helmeted, cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield; cross to right "DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG" / Large M between A/N/N/O and numerals representing the regnal year, cross above, officina letter beneath, CON in exergue.
Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5, slight bend.
Diameter: 51 mm.
Weight: 21.25 g.
Composition: Bronze.
PLEASE NOTE: 6% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.