Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 1108. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUSTINIAN II. First Reign, 685-695 AD. AR Hexagram (6.58 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 692-695 AD. [IhS CRISTU]S REX REGNANTIUM, facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels; cross behind head / D IVSTINI ANU S SERU CHRIST, Justinian standing facing, wearing crown and loros, holding cross potent on two steps and akakia; CONOP. DOC II 17; MIB III 40; SB 1259. Good VF. Extremely rare. ($2000)

The dies of the rare hexagrams of Justinian II were typically used to strike solidi also. This piece, however, lacks any trace of an officina letter by Justinian’s foot on the reverse, which would have been necessary for striking solidi.