Justinian I Great Follis

wow thats a very nice coin, and HUGE with lots of details.

Very nice, impressive coin! That's a hefty piece to carry around--I wonder what it represented in purchasing power in its day?

Earlier we were talking about contrapposto and classical Greek style lingering into the Roman empire. If you can bear with me, here's another observation.

By Justinian I, Greek influence on coin design was largely gone, replaced by a "Byzantine" style that reversed much of the naturalistic aesthetics of the Greeks. I believe the earlier style was looked upon as representing "pagan" times, and explains the sad defacing of so many earlier Greco-Roman statuary, and why many priceless Greek bronzes were melted down. This style basically pervaded Europe, unchallenged for nearly 800 years, until artists like Giotto of Florence pioneered (re-discovered) perspective and naturalism in art. The Renaissance largely represents Europe's rediscovery of Greek mathematics, science, and art--much of which was persevered by monks and Islamic scholars, the literate of retrograde Europe.

Below is a mosaic portrait of Justinian I. He is the one with the halo, and done while Justinian was alive. Saints in the Middle Ages were posthumously given halos. But I suspect these early halos have more to do with "divine authority" like a radiate "Divus augustus", than denoting sainthood. A lot of conventions of Christendom are actually appropriated from Rome's "pagan" culture and religion. In a way, the Roman Empire did not die, but put on a new mantle as The Church.

The figure on Justinian's right looks a bit like a priest, but he's believed to be a general.

thanks to all and to dv collector,for the interesting and true things written.
true, the Byzantine style is another thing than the Greek canons, lovers of beauty and aesthetics, and the Roman considered more practical but equally pagans .
Furthermore, it is equally correct interpenetration between the Byzantine Empire and the Church , which gradually takes the place of the died roman Empire.
thanks for having put the Justinian mosaic, I have seen it in person because it is located in Ravenna(Saint Vitale church), and as an Italian I can go there easily.
I assure you that the mosaics are impressive, and the basileus, so represented, it seems, in a church, some of the supernatural, its cohesion with God is very strong, and sends you a message as to say that is very close to god and emperor, for his will,remember that no one can touch the basileus(byzantine emperor) with his skin(hands must be covered with dress!)
I think the charm of Byzantine coins, is also in the fact of the interpretation of these things, and the transition from pagan to Christian culture.
I hope many of you can begin to feed some interest to the Byzantine, I always say, interesting as Roman coins, though less popular, perhaps continuing his collection of Roman coins with these coins.
other opinions are welcome even from pure roman collectors or from person that don't like these coins.....I'm interested....

here is mine not as nice and only 15.8gms and 31mm

thanks again.
jessuc,is it yours from constantinopolis mint?we can see there's a different style between nicomedia and constantinopoli's follis....however a nice coin.
p.s. I love byzantine coins so I'd like always to remember all how important are these conis and their history....

I intend to get a couple of nice Byzantine coins eventually. Perhaps one from the beginning of the period and one from the end, maybe one from the middle.

In this case who would be the first emperor to look for and who would be the last? If the lines are drawn that clearly.

Thanks
Doucet

Last emperor that is even slightly reasonable is John VIII:


John was the next to last emperor and none of us can afford a Constantine XI.

I'd suggest a huge/early Justinian Follis and a middle period coin with a text reverse but after the end on the denominational marked coins. Leo VI is not hard to find. Last I'd get a Christ portrait coin either flat and Anonymous from around 1000 AD or a cup shaped coin of Manual or Alexius (c.1200). Three coins is pretty limiting.