Justinian I, 527-565. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.38 g, 5 h), uncertain mint, 545-565. D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with a horseman spearing a fallen foe, over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG S / CONOB Angel standing facing, holding long linear staff surmounted by staurogram in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left; in field to right, star. Cf. SB 140 (for Constantinopolis) and SB 188 (for Rome). Extremely rare and unusual. Very slightly clipped and with a scratch on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.



Stylistically, the piece fits neither the issues of Constantinople nor those of Rome. Although the legend includes the Λ-shaped A’s frequently seen at Rome — and occasionally at Constantinople as well — the star is eight-rayed, rather than six-rayed as is usually the case at Rome. The bust, too, is unusual in style, especially the cuirass and the rightward-pointing helmet crest. The piece may therefore be an imitation, or perhaps derives from an otherwise unknown, possibly mobile, military mint.