Preview
Creation Date
573–574
Culture
Byzantine
Medium
Copper
Dimensions
23 mm
0.23 oz. (6.5 g)
Credit Line
Gift of Brad Hostetler, 2022
Accession Number
2022.20
Condition
As of 9/19/24: The reverse of the coin exhibits significant lightening from wear. The inscription is particularly difficult to read in the bottom half, where the mint mark has been mostly rubbed away. This causes difficulty in identification. The obverse of the coin remains in good condition with some lightening around the images of Justin II and Sophia. Inscription to the left of the imperial couple is muddled and hard to read.
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings
Obverse: DNIVSTI NIVSPP
Note: None of the variants included in the DOC include the third "I" like this one.
Reverse: K. Above, cross. To left, ANNO (written in vertical column). To right, ϚIIII (written in two lines). Beneath, KY[Z].
Note: None of the variants in the DOC show the regnal year written in two lines like this one.
References
Bellinger, Alfred. 1966. Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, vol. 1, Anastasius I - Maurice, 491-602. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies, no. 132, p.238
Description
The obverse of this half-follis depicts the imperial couple, Justin II and Sophia (r.565-578), enthroned. Justin II is on the seated on the left and Sophia is seated on the right. Both are nimbate (haloed). Justin II holds a globus cruciger in his right hand, while Sophia holds a cruciform scepter. The reverse of the follis is struck with the mark of value (K) with a cross above it and the date in two columns flanking the sides. The mint mark is below and difficult to read, although it appears to say KYZ (Cyzicus). However, the half folles minted at Cyzicus generally include a cross between the heads of the imperial couple on the obverse. There is nothing between the heads in this sample, making this a variant not documented by Dumbarton Oaks. The regnal year is also written in two lines, although the DOC only records it in one.
Sonia Suben 2025