Collecting Time Itself: Building a Justinian Follis Set by Year and Mint
At some point in collecting, something changes.
You stop asking, “What coin should I buy?”
And start asking, “What am I building?”
If you want a collection that feels complete, structured, and deeply connected to
history, there is one of the most overlooked—and rewarding—paths in ancient coins:
The folles of Justinian I.
The Emperor Behind the Coins
Justinian I (527–565 AD) wasn’t just another ruler.
He was one of the most important figures in world history:
Reclaimed much of the Western Roman EmpireCommissioned the Hagia Sophia, one of
the greatest architectural achievements ever built
Oversaw the codification of Roman law (the Corpus Juris Civilis)
Ruled during a time of both expansion—and devastating plague
His reign marks the transition from the ancient Roman world into what we now call the
Byzantine Empire.
And his coinage reflects that transformation.
Why Justinian Folles Are Different
Unlike most ancient coins, Justinian’s large bronze folles offer something incredibly rare:
A clear, readable year of issue.
On the reverse of these coins, you’ll typically see:
A large “M” (denomination: 40 nummi)
A regnal year (ANNO + Roman numeral)
A mint mark below
This means something powerful for collectors:
You can collect his coins in chronological order.
Not by guesswork.
Not by style.
But by year of his reign.
What Is a Follis?
The follis was the backbone of Byzantine bronze coinage.
Large, heavy bronze coin
Introduced in the late 5th century and reformed under Justinian
Used in everyday transactions across the empire
And unlike many small, worn bronzes:
These are big coins.
Often 30–40mm.
Thick.
Textured.
Coins you can actually feel in your hand.
How the Dating System Works
Instead of dating coins by modern calendar years, Byzantine coins use regnal years
the number of years since the emperor took power.
For Justinian:
Year 1 = 527 AD
Year 2 = 528 AD
…and so on
His reign runs through:
Year 1 → Year 38
That gives you a natural collecting goal: Build a 38-coin timeline of one of history’s greatest emperors.
The Mints of Justinian
Justinian’s empire was vast, and his coinage reflects that.
You don’t need to chase every variation—just understanding the main mints gives your
collection depth.
Here are the core ones:
Constantinople (CON)
The capital of the empire.
- Most common mint
- Wide range of years available
- Strong, standardized designs
This is the foundation of most collections.
Nicomedia (NIK)
A major eastern mint.
Slight stylistic differences
Often well-struck examples
Good availability across many years
Antioch / Theoupolis (ANT / THEUP)
Renamed after a devastating earthquake.
Historically rich mint
Often shows interesting engraving styles
Strong connection to the eastern frontier
Cyzicus (KYZ)
Smaller production but still important.
- Less common than Constantinople
- Adds depth to a collection
Thessalonica (TES)
A key Balkan mint.
Regional style differences
Less frequently seen than eastern mints
Alexandria (ALE)
Egyptian mint with distinct character.
Unique fabric and engraving
Often sought after for variety
Building the Collection (Checklist Style)
This is where Justinian folles shine.
You’re not just collecting coins—you’re building a timeline.
Phase 1: The Timeline Core
Year 1
Year 5
Year 10
Year 20
Year 30
Year 38
This gives you anchor points across his reign.
Phase 2: The Full Run
Years 1–38 (as complete as possible)
You don’t need perfect coins—just readable dates.
That’s the beauty of this set.
Phase 3: Add Mint Variety
At least one coin from each major mint
Compare styles across regions
Phase 4: Advanced Collecting
Multiple mints for the same year
High-grade examples of key years
Rare mint/year combinations
What Do These Cost?
This is one of the most approachable structured collections in all of ancient coins.
Typical Price Ranges (Retail)
Common years (Constantinople mint): $30 – $90
Better condition / clearer dates: $80 – $150
Scarcer years or better mints: $100 – $250
Rare mint/year combinations: $200 – $500+
Even with wide variation, this is still one of the few areas where:
You can realistically attempt a full historical run.
Why This Is Such a Unique Collecting Experience
Most ancient coin collecting is:
Fragmented
Approximate
Open-ended
Justinian folles are different.
They give you:
A clear start and finish
A chronological structure
A direct connection to history as it unfolds year by year
You’re not just collecting coins.
You’re collecting:
The years of a reign
The rise and challenges of an empire
The passage of time itself
Final Thought
There aren’t many places in ancient coins where you can say:
“I’m going to collect every year of this emperor’s rule.”
With Justinian, you can.
And along the way, you’re holding coins struck during:
Wars of reconquest
The building of Hagia Sophia
The Justinianic Plague
The reshaping of the Roman world
All preserved in bronze.
All still here.
Waiting to be collected—one year at a time.