Justinian II, second reign, 705-711. 'Hexagram' (Silver, 22 mm, 4.50 g, 6 h), struck from solidus dies, Constantinopolis. δ N IҺS CҺS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM Draped bust of Christ facing, with cross behind his head, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. δ N IЧSTINIANЧS [MЧLTЧS AN] Crowned facing bust of Justinian II, wearing loros and holding cross potent set on three steps in his right hand and patriarchal cross on globe inscribed PAX in his left. DOC 8. MIB 39. SB 1423. Extremely rare. A wonderful example of this unusual denomination, struck on good silver and with a particularly fine portrait of the emperor. Minor areas of weakness and light marks and with a small scratch on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.


This wonderful 'hexagram' was clearly struck from solidus dies. Whether these extremely rare pieces are test strikes or if they served as silver donativa is unclear, but they certainly form a very unusual and exciting group in the Byzantine series.