Product Description
This Roman Byzantine Empire bronze follis coin was minted in Theoupolis by Emperor Justin I, during his reign, 518 - 527 A.D.. The obverse shows a profile of Justin I facing right and wearing a crown, cape, cuirass armor. The reverse shows a large M (the denomination in the Greek number indicating 40 nummi which equaled one follis), with a tHEUP below indicating the Theoupolis mint.
HISTORY
Justin I , also called Justin the Thracian was Eastern Roman emperor from 518 to 527 AD. Born to a peasant family, he rose through the ranks of the army to become commander of the imperial guard and when Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus died, he out-maneuvered his rivals and was elected as his successor, in spite of being around 68 years old. His reign is significant for the founding of the Justinian dynasty that included his eminent nephew, Justinian I, and three succeeding emperors. His consort was Empress Euphemia.
He was noted for his strongly orthodox Christian views. This facilitated the ending of the Acacian schism between the churches of Rome and Constantinople, resulting in good relations between Justin and the papacy. Throughout his reign, he stressed the religious nature of his office and passed edicts against various Christian groups seen at the time as non-Orthodox. In foreign affairs, he used religion as an instrument of state. He endeavored to cultivate client states on the borders of the Empire, and avoided any significant warfare until late in his reign.