Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1300. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUSTIN I and JUSTINIAN I. 4 April - 1 August 527 AD. AV Solidus (4.47 gm, 6h). Constantinople mint. DN IVSTIN ET IVSTINIAN PP AVG, Justin and Justinian enthroned facing, both nimbate and holding globus; cross above, CONOB below / VICTORIA AVGGG, angel standing facing, holding long cross and globus cruciger; star in right field; S/CONOB. DOC I 5c; Metcalf, Joint 16 (O6/S4); MIB I 1d; SB 120. EF, slight doubling on reverse, struck on broad flan. Rare. ($3000)

From the Malcolm W. Heckman 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 Presumably, these pieces were withdrawn from circulation after the accession of Justinian, accounting for their extreme rarity today.