Justin II & Sophia Bronze Follis — Emperor and Empress Enthroned Together

Own One of Byzantine Coinage's Most Distinctive Imperial Couple Portraits

A real Byzantine bronze follis of Justin II and Empress Sophia, portraying emperor and empress seated together on the obverse during the post-Justinianic age.

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ Carefully Sourced and Verified
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coins shown are representative examples. You will receive one authentic Byzantine bronze follis of Justin II and Sophia. Each coin is unique and will vary in strike, centering, preservation, patina, and individual appearance.

👑 Features Justin II and Sophia enthroned together in one of Byzantine bronze coinage's most recognizable imperial couple designs
🏛 Struck during the reign of Justin II, AD 565–578
🤲 A genuine 6th-century Byzantine bronze coin

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

When Justinian I died in AD 565, his nephew Justin II succeeded him as emperor. Justin's wife, Sophia, became Augusta and occupied an important position at court.

The obverse of this follis shows Justin II and Sophia seated together on a double throne. The paired image is striking and gives the empress unusual visual prominence on everyday imperial bronze coinage.

That prominence should not, however, be described as proof that Justin and Sophia held equal constitutional power or formally 'shared the throne' as co-emperors. Justin II remained the reigning emperor. Sophia's political influence was substantial, particularly later in the reign, but the coin's imagery is best understood as dynastic and imperial representation rather than a legal statement of equal sovereignty.

During Justin's later years, ancient sources describe serious mental illness that increasingly impaired his ability to govern. Sophia became more politically active, and in AD 574 the general Tiberius was elevated to Caesar and assumed major governmental responsibilities.

The empire meanwhile faced renewed war with Sasanian Persia, Lombard expansion in Italy, and continuing pressure in the Balkans.

The reverse bears the large M indicating a follis of forty nummi, part of the denomination-marked bronze system introduced under Anastasius I and continued through the sixth century.

This coin is therefore important not because it proves an equal co-rule, but because it preserves an unusually prominent official image of an empress whose political role became genuinely significant during a difficult reign.

Perfect For

• Collectors of Byzantine coinage
• History enthusiasts interested in imperial women
• Collectors of Justin II, Sophia, and post-Justinian history
• First-time Byzantine coin collectors
• Anyone interested in Byzantine court politics

What You'll Receive

• One authentic bronze follis of Justin II and Sophia
• Civilization: Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)
• Ruler: Justin II (AD 565–578), with Empress Sophia depicted
• Century: 6th Century AD
• Denomination: AE Follis (40 Nummi)
• Guaranteed authentic
• Representative example of the type (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

Learn More

Continue the story in the Kinzer Coins Journal: Byzantine Follis Coins: How to Identify and Collect Them.