BZ117406. Bronze follis, Anastasi 277A, DOC II-2 61 var., Hahn MIB 71 var., Spahr 224 var., Tolstoi 84 var., SBCV 1301 var. (all var. plum on helmet, vice cross), aVF, dark green patina, overstruck on irregular ragged flan - fragment of an older follis, 2.757g, 23.6mm, 180^o, Syracuse (Sicily, Italy) mint, Justinian standing facing, bearded, wearing crown surmounted with a cross and military dress, spear in right hand, globus cruciger in left, plant in lower right field; reverse large M (40 nummi), monogram above, C/VP/A-K/OV/CI (Latinized Greek: of Syracuse) in two columns of three lines flanking left and right, SCL (Latinized Greek mintmark: Sicily) in exergue; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; rare variant with cross on helmet

 

Justinian II took the throne at the young age of sixteen. He achieved a peace treaty with the Arabs early in his reign and was able to make progress on the Balkan troubles. He was the first of the Byzantine emperors to put the likeness of Christ on his coinage. After ten years of rule, he was overthrown by the general Leontius; his tongue and nose were slit and he was exiled. In 705, Justinian II returned to Constantinople with an army of Bulgars and Slavs. He gained entrance to the city by climbing through an aqueduct pipe and with the advantage of surprise regained his throne. Both Leontius and Tiberius (who succeeded Leontius) were dragged through the streets in chains and beheaded. His revenge soon developed into a reign of terror. A rebellion started in the army and the general Bardanes was named Emperor. Justinian II and his son, Tiberius, age 6, were put to death.