Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2171. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $6500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUSTINIAN I. 527-565. AV Tremissis (1.37 gm). Struck 553-565. Carthagena mint. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AC, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORI-AVCVST, Victory walking right looking left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; in exergue, CONOB (retrograde). P. Grierson, "Una ceca bizantina en España", Numario Hispanico 4, 1955, p. 309; MIB I 27; DOC I 376; SB 343. Extremely rare. VF. ($5000)

In the 550's, after the reconquest of north Africa from the Vandals, the Visigothic dominion of Spain was challenged by Justinian. The empire temporarily established a foothold in the south around Carthagena until it was seized by Suinthila in 624. A very limited quantity of tremisses were produced at this mint and are of distinctive Spanish style.