The Emperor Justinian
Coin
538 to 539 (dated)
538 to 539 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This coin depicts the Emperor Justinian and was struck in Byzanz (Nicomedia), in 538/539.
Justinian the Great, was East Roman (Byzantine) Emperor from 527 to 565.
On the reverse of the coin an inscription states that the coin was struck in the twelfth year of the Emperor's reign. The Emperor acceded to the throne on 1st april, 527.
Nicomedia (today's Izmit, Turkey) was the capital of the Bithynia Kingdom and Diocletian made it the eastern capital city of the Roman Empire in 286. It declined during Byzantine period and was taken by Ottomans in 1326.
Justinian the Great, was East Roman (Byzantine) Emperor from 527 to 565.
On the reverse of the coin an inscription states that the coin was struck in the twelfth year of the Emperor's reign. The Emperor acceded to the throne on 1st april, 527.
Nicomedia (today's Izmit, Turkey) was the capital of the Bithynia Kingdom and Diocletian made it the eastern capital city of the Roman Empire in 286. It declined during Byzantine period and was taken by Ottomans in 1326.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Emperor Justinian (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Coin, bronze, Emperor Justinian, Byzantine (Nicomedia), dated 538/9 |
| Physical description | Obverse: the bust of Justinian beardless, facing frontally, wearing a helmet with plume and armour. His right hand holds the imperial orb; his left hand supports a shield with a horseman device. In the field to the right, a cross. At the top inscription. Reverse: a large letter M (=40 numma), a small capital B, which means that the coin was struck in Officina B, the letters NIK, an abbreviation for Nicomedia, the legend ANNO XII, the twelfth year of Justinian's reign. Above the letter M, a cross. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'DNIVSTINIANVS PPAVC' (at the top)
|
| Object history | Given by Sir Leigh Ashton, F. S. A., in 1956. |
| Production | Byzantine |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This coin depicts the Emperor Justinian and was struck in Byzanz (Nicomedia), in 538/539. Justinian the Great, was East Roman (Byzantine) Emperor from 527 to 565. On the reverse of the coin an inscription states that the coin was struck in the twelfth year of the Emperor's reign. The Emperor acceded to the throne on 1st april, 527. Nicomedia (today's Izmit, Turkey) was the capital of the Bithynia Kingdom and Diocletian made it the eastern capital city of the Roman Empire in 286. It declined during Byzantine period and was taken by Ottomans in 1326. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.132-1956 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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