Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1196. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $3800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUSTIN I and JUSTINIAN I. April-August 527 AD. AV Solidus (4.49 gm). Constantinople mint. D N IVSTIN ET IVSTINI PP AVG, Justin and Justinian, holding globes, enthroned on backless throne; cross above, CONOB in exergue / VICTORI A AVGGG, angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; * S/CONOB. DOC I -; ; Metcalf, Joint, 17 (O8/S4); MIB I 1d; BN 1; SB 117. Choice EF. Very rare. ($2500)

From the William H. Williams Collection.

Justin was an illiterate peasant from Thrace who had acquired the throne through his natural strengths and cunning, but he understood the value of education, especially for his relatives. His nephew Peter was sent to Constantinople, and when his uncle became emperor, the newly re-named Justinian was his trusted advisor. When Justin's health began to fail early in 527, Justinian was readily accepted as co-emperor and the transition of power was uneventful. The coming change was advertised by an extensive series of joint reign solidi, judging by the number of dies known. Presumably, these pieces were withdrawn from circulation after the accession of Justinian, accounting for their extreme rarity today.