BYZANTINE. 6th century. Weight of 1 Nomisma (Bronze, 17x17 mm, 4.31 g, 6 h), a square coin weight for a solidus made from a follis of Anastasius I (491-518). [D N ANASTASI]VS P P AVG Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Anastasius I to right. Rev. Large M; above, cross; in exergue, [mintmark]. Cf. SB 14 (Constantinopolis). A highly interesting piece. Very fine.

This particularly interesting solidus weight was cut down from a follis of Anastasius I. Its size and the absence of stars suggest that the host coin is SB 14, struck at Constantinople in circa 498–507. This identification establishes a terminus post quem of 498 and shows that bronze coins were still being converted into solidus weights in the sixth century. Cutting such pieces into rectangular or serrated forms not only brought them down to the required weight but also rendered them unsuitable for continued circulation. This object thus provides a particularly instructive example of a bronze coin withdrawn from monetary use and repurposed to check gold solidi struck to a closely controlled weight standard