Byzantine Bronze Follis of Justinian I (about 1,485 years ago)

Own a Coin from the Emperor Who Made One Last Attempt to Restore Rome

A real Byzantine bronze follis of Justinian I — struck in AD 539 at the height of his campaign to reclaim the lost western territories of Rome and reunite the Mediterranean world under a single emperor.

$43.56

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🏛 Struck AD 539 — the year Justinian's generals held Italy and North Africa under Byzantine control
✝ Obverse features a frontal portrait of Justinian holding a globus cruciger — Christian dominion over the world
🤲 Imperial ambition in bronze — a real piece of Byzantium's greatest era

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

By AD 539, Justinian's vision of renovatio imperii — the restoration of Rome — was becoming reality. Belisarius had crushed the Vandals in North Africa in 533 and was deep into the Gothic Wars in Italy. Constantinople stood as the wealthiest city in the medieval world, and Justinian governed it with a combination of military ambition, legal genius, and architectural vision that no Byzantine emperor before or after him could match.

This follis captures that confidence. The obverse carries a powerful frontal portrait of Justinian — crowned, robed, holding a globus cruciger — the symbol of Christian dominion over the entire world. The reverse bears the large "M" for 40 nummi, marked with the regnal year and mint inscription, reflecting the organized monetary system of an empire actively rebuilding itself. These coins circulated through markets, military camps, and cities across a Byzantine world on the move.

The same reign that produced this coin also gave the world the Corpus Juris Civilis — the legal foundation of modern European law — and the Hagia Sophia, still standing in Istanbul today. This bronze follis is a piece of all of it — the ambition, the achievement, and the last great attempt to restore the Roman Empire.

Perfect for:

• Collectors of Byzantine and late Roman coinage
• History lovers drawn to Justinian, Belisarius, and the reconquest of Rome
• Byzantine follis and large bronze coin enthusiasts
• Anyone looking for a meaningful, unique gift

What You'll Receive

• One authentic Byzantine bronze follis of Justinian I
• Denomination: Follis — 40 Nummi (M)
• Struck AD 539 — similar to examples shown (each coin is unique)
• Carefully sourced and verified for authenticity

Buy with Confidence

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

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