★ Unpublished Test Issue ★

ANASTASIUS I (491-518). Follis. Uncertain mint, most likely Constantinople.

Obv: D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG.
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: Large M; letter B - crossed out by star, to left, cross above, star to right; all within wreath.

Sear -; MIBE -; DOC -; Sommer -.

This unpublshed test issue is casting an interesting spotlight on the development of the Byzantine Coinage after its Reform under Anastasius. First the officina letter B has been placed on the left side of the reverse instead beneath the M. Then the officina has been replaced by a star - similar to the one on the opposite side. After this the die has been used to produce coins without mentioning mint and officina - which one would expect from a probper Byzantine coin.

Condition: Near very fine.

Weight: 9.50 g.
Diameter: 24 mm.