John, comes sacrarum largitionum, circa 573 (?). Weight of 3 Nomismata (Bronze, 21 mm, 12.51 g), a round coin weight with inscribed edge. Draped, diademed and nimbate imperial bust facing, all details engraved. Rev. Boss with centering hole and additional hole. Edge inscription: ✠ЄΠΙ ΙⲰΑΝΝ૪ Τ૪ ΕΝΔΟξ ΚΟΜ ΤⲰΝ Θ ΛΑΡΓΙΤ. CPAI -. MAH -, cf. 48 = Pondera 4258 (a weight of 3 uncias with a similar edge inscription). A very rare weight with an edge inscription. Light graffiti on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


The comes sacrarum largitionum, a post first created by Constantine I circa 325, was one the chief financial officials of Late Antiquity. He was responsible for the collection of a number of taxes, the payment of donatives and stipendia to the army, the exploitation of mines and the operation of the imperial mints. A weight of 3 uncias kept in the Musée d'art et d'histoire in Geneva (MAH 48) has a similar edge inscription as our example, but includes a date, i.e. year 6 of an uncertain indiction cycle, which probably corresponds to 573 AD. Our weight likely dates to the same period.