Maurice Tiberius, AE Half Follis, Constantinople Mint, AD 582-602

$55.00

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SKU: B1.9 Category:

Description

Maurice Tiberius, AD 582-602, AE  Half Follis (bronze, 7.67g, 24mm), Constantinople Mint
Obv: Helmeted and cuirassed facing bust, holding globus cruciger and shield
Rev: Large K; cross above, Δ below; A/N/N/O to left; IIII (date) to right
Ref: MIBE 70D; SB 497 Rarity/Choice: Common, Good VF (nice original find dark green patina)
Note: Maurice Tiberius, Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602 AD, implemented significant military and administrative reforms during his reign. He faced challenges such as wars against the Sassanian Persians and internal revolts, but his reforms strengthened the Byzantine Empire’s defenses. Maurice introduced the “theme” system, organizing the army into professional units, and his reign marked a period of stability and prosperity. However, he was eventually overthrown and executed in a coup led by Phocas, marking the end of his dynasty and a period of instability for the Byzantine Empire. The obverse of the coin depicts a facing bust of Maurice Tiberius, wearing a helmet and cuirass, and holding a globus cruciger (a globe topped with a cross) and a shield. This imagery symbolizes his role as both a military leader and a Christian emperor, wielding both secular and divine authority. This coin provides valuable historical insights into the reign of Maurice Tiberius and the administrative and military structures of the Byzantine Empire during the late 6th and early 7th centuries AD.