Sale: CNG 73, Lot: 1034. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 September 2006.  Sold For $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Justinian I. 527-565. AR Half Siliqua (1.09 g, 12h). Commemorative issue. Constantinople mint. Struck 536/7(?). Helmeted and draped bust of Roma right / Large R. Bendall, Anonymous 9 (pl. XII, 20-21); Kent, Urbs pl. 13, 30. VF, toned, earthen highlights, micro-granularity, flan crack. Very rare. Only about a dozen examples known to Bendall.

Bendall argues that this rare type was struck to celebrate Justinian’s re-conquest of Rome from Ostrogothic occupation in December 536. The extreme rarity of this issue suggests that it was likely struck on only one occasion in late 536 to 537.