Maurice Tiberius, 582-602. Solidus (Gold, 22 mm, 4.48 g, 7 h), Constantinopolis, August 582. O N N b TIbЄ-RI P P AVC Crowned and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and a shield, decorated with a horseman spearing a fallen foe, over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGG I / CONOB Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left. DOC -. MIBE 3. SB 475. Extremely rare. Lustrous and very well preserved, arguably among the finest known examples of this important inaugural issue. Very light deposits and with a few minor areas of weakness, otherwise, virtually as struck.



This extremely rare solidus belongs to the earliest issue of Maurice Tiberius. It is distinguished by the omission of the name Maurice and by the unusual abbreviation O N N b at the beginning of the legend, presumably to be expanded as Dominus Noster Nobilissimus. This form was probably used only in August 582, between Maurice’s adoption by Tiberius II Constantine on 5 August, the death of the basileus on 14 August, and the opening of the new indiction on 31 August 582. Later issues omit the N b and give the new basileus’ full regnal name, Maurice Tiberius. For a helpful discussion, see Classical Numismatic Group 87 (2011), 1209.