Unpublished Transitional Issue

CNG 94, Lot: 1279. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.43 g, 6h). Thessalonica mint. Struck 562. Helmeted and cuirassed facing bust, holding globus cruciger and shield / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star to right; CONOB. Cf. DOC –/7; cf. MIBE 23/22; cf. Metcalf, Thess. 355-7/309-54; cf. SB 173C/138 (all for obv./rev.). EF.

From the Iconodule Collection.

The present coin appears to be a transitional piece between the third issue (MIBE 22) and the fourth issue (MIBE 23 and N23) of Justinian I at Thessalonica. The obverse bears the distinctive realistic hair of the later issue, rather than the pellet hair from earlier. On the reverse, the Angel carries a cross, the distinguishing characteristic of the third issue. The existence of such a transitional piece is not surprising – Metcalf notes that one specimen in the Monte Judica hoard (Metcalf, Thess. 355 = CNG 64, 1254) appears to be struck from a re-engraved reverse die of the earlier type.