Anastasius I, 491-518. Follis (Bronze, 29 mm, 16.29 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Anastasius to right. Rev. Constantinopolis seated left, holding globus cruciger in her right hand; below her elbow, shield; in field to left, M; in field to right, star; in exergue, CON (officina letter, probably Є). CNG Triton XIX (2016), 688. DOC -. MIB 21. SB 28A. Extremely rare. Pierced and with some deposits, otherwise, fine.



This background of this highly unusual issue, 'the only pictorial design on reformed copper coins ... apart from the Tyche on Antioch pentanummia' (MIB, p. 29), is unknown. It was struck in three denominations (follis, half follis and decanummium), all of which are recorded in a few examples only.