Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2215. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUSTINIAN I. 527-565 AD. AV Tremissis (1.47 gm). Western (Spanish?) mint. D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVI, diademed and draped bust right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory walking right and looking back, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star in right field; CONOB. DOC I (376); MIB 27.1 var. (different dies, small trefolium); SB 343. EF, and attractive. Rare. ($500)

An atavistic portrait, with more similarities to the coinage of Anastasius than most other coins of Justinian. This early style, combined with large and overly precise legends points to an issue with Gothic influence. The only close match is the two very rare tremisses included in Hahn's MIB, specifically the BM specimen. The bust on 27.1 is thin and itallic (and seen from the side), as the figure on this coin is, while the Victory is big and awkward. Besides being large, Victory is depicted looking opposite the direction she is walking. The principle difference between this coin and the other Spanish issues is the lack of a huge crescent-like trefolium on the diadem.