Justinian I, Copper, Follis, Salona?, 538/539?
Obverse
Frontal bust of Justinian I wearing cuirass and helmet. Globus cruciger in right hand, shield with horseman device on left shoulder.
DNIVSTINI-NVSPPVC
Symbol
Cross in right field.
Reverse
with cross above, below, |N|N|O in left field, and X[ ] in right field.
Exergue
CON
Obverse
Frontal bust of Justinian I wearing cuirass and helmet. Globus cruciger in right hand, shield with horseman device on left shoulder.
DNIVSTINI-NVSPPVC
Symbol
Cross in right field.
Reverse
with cross above, below, |N|N|O in left field, and X[ ] in right field.
Exergue
CON
| Accession number | BZC.2008.007 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Justinian I |
| Date of Reign | 527–565 |
| Metal | Copper |
| Denomination | Follis |
| Mint | Salona? |
| Date | 538/539? |
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Weight | 22.31 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
A. H. Baldwin’s Selection, 2008.
Commentary
Regnal year is not legible, but it is probably 13 (538/539) according to Hahn's reading of other specimens (MIB 1:75, no. 242, plate 35, attributed to the mint of Sicily).
In MIBE (p. 73), Hahn is more cautious in his attribution and speaks of this as belonging to one of “several groups of CON-signed or unsigned coins [with] a broad regional destination in the newly conquered western parts of the empire.”
Considering the many finds of this type of issue in the Balkans and their presence in the Museum of Zagreb and in Venice, Morrisson and Prigent (“La monetazione in Sicilia nell’età bizantina,” 427–34) favor a reattribution to the Salona mint.