BZ116879. Bronze follis, DOC I 122a (not in collection, refs Wroth), Wroth BMC 173, Morrisson BnF 5/Cy/AE/05, Hahn MIB II 50b, SBCV 372, Sommer 5.32.2, VF, broad flan, dark patina, some obv. legend weak, 11.565g, 30.9mm, 0^o, 1st officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, D N IVSTINVS P P AV (Latin: Dominus Noster Justinus Per Petuus Augustus - Our lord, Justin, perpetual emperor), Justin II (on left) and Sophia seated facing on double throne, both nimbate, he holds a globus cruciger, she holds a cruciform scepter, cross above center, wavy line below feet; reverse large M (Greek: 40 [nummi]) between ANNO (Latin: year) and ςII/I (Greek: 19), cross above, A below, KYZ in exergue

 

Cyzicus was one of the great cities of the ancient world. In 74 B.C. allied with Rome, it withstood a siege by 300,000 men led by King Mithridates VI of Pontus. Rome rewarded this loyalty with territory and with municipal independence which lasted until the reign of Tiberius. When it was incorporated into the Empire, Cyzicus was made the capital of Mysia, and afterward of Hellespontus. Gallienus opened an imperial mint at Cyzicus, which continued to strike coins well into the Byzantine era.