Justinian II, Gold, Solidus, Syracuse, 709/710
Obverse
Frontal bust of Justinian II, bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross. Globus cruciger in right hand. Linear border.
IS-NII
Reverse
Cross potent on base and three steps.
VIC[T]ORI-Θ
Symbol
H in right field.
Exergue
CONOB
Obverse
Frontal bust of Justinian II, bearded, wearing chlamys and crown with cross. Globus cruciger in right hand. Linear border.
IS-NII
Reverse
Cross potent on base and three steps.
VIC[T]ORI-Θ
Symbol
H in right field.
Exergue
CONOB
| Accession number | BZC.1969.56 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue ID | as DOC 2.2:593, no. 43 |
| Ruler | Justinian II |
| Date of Reign | 685–695, 705–711 |
| Metal | Gold |
| Denomination | Solidus |
| Mint | Syracuse |
| Date | 709/710 |
| Diameter | 18.0 mm |
| Weight | 4.16 g |
| Relation of Dies | 5:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From A. H. Baldwin's Selection, 16 September 1969, from Bank Leu, from “Sicilian Hoard”
Commentary
This coin is a solidus of class (c). As DOC 2.2:593, no. 43 (cited from Ricotti).
The Syracuse mint did not follow the innovations of the Constantinople mint and may have continued striking with the bust of Justinian II alone into his second reign as well. We follow here the distinction made by Hahn (MIB 3:193), who pointed out the more angular, less supple style of the chlamys’s design on the second reign’s solidi and proposes that the ones with indiction dates from 5 to 9 (706–710) be assigned to this period.
MIB 3:274, no. 14 (citing this coin as D.O. [n.a.]).