Justinian Solidus

Justinian's solidus maintained the same 4.5-gram weight and 24-karat gold purity set by Constantine over a century earlier, a feat of monetary consistency amid empire-wide upheavals.

This coin, struck during his reign from 527 to 565, typically bore Justinian's profile on the obverse, complete with a diadem and sometimes a cross, while the reverse showed a standing angel or Victoria. Most were minted in Constantinople, though a few provincial issues might have come from reconquered cities like Thessalonica. We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are scarce.

The solidus funded Justinian's ambitious campaigns, including the retaking of parts of Greece from the Ostrogoths. These coins circulated widely, even reaching distant trade routes. One dry observation: it's no wonder they called it solid; it outlasted many emperors' ambitions.

Variations exist, such as those with mint marks indicating different workshops, but fakes abound, so authentication requires careful examination.