Justin II & Sophia Byzantine AE Follis Year 7 Constantinople Mint 18.34g SB 360

• Emperors: Justin II and Sophia (ruling jointly on the coinage).

• Denomination: AE Follis (Large Bronze, 40 Nummi indicated by the large M).

• Mint: Constantinople (CON in exergue).

• Officina: B (Beta = 2nd Officina), clearly nestled inside the legs of the 'M'.

• Regnal Year: GI II (Year 7 = 571/572 AD). The ANNO reads vertically down the left; the G (an archaic stigma representing 6) sits above the I (1) on the right.

• References: Sear Byzantine (SB) #360; DOC #29b.

Physical & Visual Characteristics

• Weight: 18.34 g (Very solid, hefty weight for Year 7)

• Diameter: 27 mm

• Obverse Description: Justin II (left) and Sophia (right) seated facing on a double throne. Both are nimbate, wearing crowns and elaborate consular robes (loros). Justin holds a globus cruciger, while Sophia holds a cruciform scepter.

• Reverse Description: Large M. Above is a Christian Christogram (Chi-Rho cross: ☥ / ✙). Left: ANNO vertically. Right: G / II (Year 7). Below: B. Exergue: CON.

• Condition & Eye Appeal: Outstanding for the type. It features a beautiful, dark chocolate to charcoal-grey patina with contrasting warm, earthy orange-earthen deposits highlight the recesses. The reverse lettering, cross, and officina letter are extremely well-defined with very crisp fields and practically no porosity.