Ancient Gold

Lot 2004       Ancient Gold

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

JUSTIN II, (A.D.565-578), gold solidus, Constantinople (Alexandria mint, attribution by Hahn) mint, (4.19 grams), issued 565-578, obv. bust of Justin II facing, with plume and diadem, two pearls at each side, wearing cuirass, and holding globe surmounted by Victory, d N I [VSTI] NVS PP AVC around, rev. Constantinople seated looking right, with helmet tunic and mantle, on right shoulder aegis, left hand holds a spear, chi-rho symbol in left field, around VICTORI A AVGGGI, .CONOB. in exergue, (S.347A, DOC.-, R.-, Hahn 14, Berk 63). Off-centred on the obverse, otherwise good very fine and extremely rare.

The distinctive style of this coin with pellets either side of CONOB and the chi-rho symbol in left field makes the issue very different from the usual Constantinople mint. Hahn has attributed this issue to Alexandria mint. It is not present in any of the major collections including the Dumbarton Oaks Collection. Only this officina I has been noted for this coinage.