Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 12th officina. Struck 542-565. Good VF.

Keystone 17 – The W. Toliver Besson Collection
Lot: 313. Estimated: $ 400

Byzantine, Gold

Sold For $ 1 100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 12th officina. Struck 542-565. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield / Angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; star to right; IB//CONOB. DOC 278 (Carthage); MIBE 7; SB 140. Toned. Good VF. A scarcely encountered officina.

From the W. Toliver Besson Collection, purchased from Joel Malter, 29 April 2006.

Justinian I’s currency reform circa AD 538 was primarily concerned with bronze coins, but it introduced new iconography which altered the appearance of the gold solidus as well. In place of the three-quarter armored portrait that was originally introduced by Constantius II two centuries before, Justinian introduced a new fully frontal effigy of the emperor, still helmeted and cuirassed, holding in his right hand a cross set on a globe, the globus cruciger, symbolizing the worldwide triumph of Christianity. Rendered in low relief with few features to distinguish one ruler from another, this became the archetype for Byzantine numismatic portraiture for the next four centuries and beyond.

Closing Date and Time: 22 July 2026 at 11:44:00 ET.



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