Extremely Rare Rome Mint Justinian

CNG 103, Lot: 907. Estimate $1500. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Justinian I. 527-565. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.46 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 538-546. Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield / Angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; six-pointed star to right, • at end of legend; CONOB. DOC 318a var. (six-pointed star on rev.); MIBE 32²; SB 288A var. (same). Good VF. Extremely rare.

SB 288 and 288A both have the pellet at the end of the reverse legend and should be combined under a single number. As illustrated in MIBE, however, there are two minor variations: one with a star of eight points and one with six.