1 Solidus Byzantine Empire (330-1453) Gold

Byzantine Empire, Justin I (518-519 AD) Gold Solidus Coin.

Mint Place: Constantinople

References: Friedberg 68, Sear 55.

Mint Period: 518-519 AD (3rd Officina)

Denomination: Gold Histamenon Nomisma

Emperor: Justin I “the Thracian” (518-527 AD)
Diameter: 28mm

Weight: 4.44gm

Material: Gold!

Obverse: Parl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust of Justin I facing, head slightly right, with spear in right hand over shoulder, shield decorated with horseman motif in left.

Legend: D N IVSTI-NVS PP AVG

Reverse:Victory standing facing, head left, with grounded jeweled staff surmounted by reversed staurogram in right hand. Star in left field.

Legend:
VICTORI-A AVGGG Γ

Exergue: CONOB

The staurogram (⳨), also monogrammatic cross or tau-rho, is a ligature composed of a superposition of the Greek letters tau (Τ) and rho (Ρ). The symbol is of pre-Christian origin. It is found on copper coins minted by Herod I in 37 BC, interpreted as a tr ligature representing trikhalkon indicating the coin value. 

Justin I (Latin: Iustinus; Greek: Ἰουστῖνος, translit. Ioustînos; c. 450 – 1 August 527), also called Justin the Thracian (Latin: Justinus Thrax; Greek: Ἰουστῖνος ὁ Θρᾷξ, translit. Ioustînos ho Thrâix), was Eastern Roman emperor from 518 to 527. Born to a peasant family, he rose through the ranks of the army to become commander of the imperial guard and when Emperor Anastasius died, he out-maneouvered his rivals and was elected as his successor, in spite of being around 68 years old. His reign is significant for the founding of the Justinian dynasty that included his eminent nephew, Justinian I, and three succeeding emperors. His consort was Empress Euphemia.

He was noted for his strongly orthodox Christian views. This facilitated the ending of the Acacian schism between the churches of Rome and Constantinople, resulting in good relations between Justin and the papacy. Throughout his reign, he stressed the religious nature of his office and passed edicts against various Christian groups seen at the time as non-Orthodox. In foreign affairs, he used religion as an instrument of state. He endeavoured to cultivate client states on the borders of the Empire, and avoided any significant warfare until late in his reign.