Byzantine Decanummium

The Byzantine decanummium, a small bronze coin circulating in Italy from the 6th century, was often struck with dies recycled from earlier Roman issues, blending old and new empires in a single piece of metal.

This made for coins that were functionally identical across regions, from Ravenna to Rome, helping standardize trade in a fragmented post-Roman world. Emperors like Justinian appeared on the obverse, typically in profile, while the reverse bore simple crosses or monograms—nothing flashy, just practical.

We don't know the exact mintages; records from that era are scarce, lost to time and invasions. As for myths, I've heard tales of these coins funding epic battles, but most ended up in markets buying bread.

Plenty of these turn up in hoards, which is more than I can say for my coffee stash.