Justinus I - Pentanummium (JA2198)

Justin I. 518-527. Æ pentanummium (13 mm, 1.79 g,). Constantinople. D N IVSTINVS P P AV, draped and cuirassed bust of Justin I right / Large Christogram between Γ  and Є. DOC 21b; MIBE 32; SB 75.Very fine. Despite his illiteracy and age of 70 years, Justin I secured the position of Byzantine emperor through bribery and control of the urban soldiers of Constantinople. His reign marked the foundation of the powerful Justinian dynasty, which, under his successor, Justinian I, briefly saw the reconquest of parts of the Western Roman Empire previously lost to the Goths.