Maurice, Silver, Light Siliqua, Constantinople, 583/584-602
Obverse
Bust of Maurice facing right wearing cuirass, paludamentum, and diadem.
ON-CIPPVC
Reverse
Cross potent on base between two palm branches.
Obverse
Bust of Maurice facing right wearing cuirass, paludamentum, and diadem.
ON-CIPPVC
Reverse
Cross potent on base between two palm branches.
| Accession number | BZC.1966.9 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Maurice |
| Date of Reign | 582–602 |
| Metal | Silver |
| Denomination | Light Siliqua |
| Mint | Constantinople |
| Date | 583/584 – 602 |
| Diameter | 19.0 mm |
| Weight | 2.17 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From Hesperia Art, 6 July 1966
Commentary
This is the earliest occurrence of this type of ceremonial silver, with a cross between palms on the reverse, which lasted until Justinian II. Melon wrote to Grierson in 1973 that he had a specimen of this type weighing 4.34 g (hence a light miliarense, MIBEC 142, no. 52, which was auctioned at Leu, 13 April 1975, no. 590, 4.32 g). It was unpublished when Grierson bought it. Hahn cites this specimen as DO (n.a.) together with one in Vizantiĭstiĭ Vremennik 37 (1976): 151, K.113, from a Caucasus find. Such a location is in accordance with the military destination of these ceremonial coins. Since this type replaced several others with cross on globe, it must be dated later in the reign of Maurice.
MIBEC 143, no. 55.