537-542 AD., Justinian I, Rome mint, Half Follis, Sear 301.
Justinian I (527-565), Rome mint, 537-542 AD.,
Half Follis / 20 Nummi (ø 19,5-20 mm / 3,85 g), copper, axis coin alignment ↑↓ (ca. 180°),
Obv.: D N IVSTI – NIANVS , his pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, poorer style, large head, thick neck.
Rev.: * K + , large K; star to l., cross to r.; all within wreath.
Hahn MIBE 222 ; DOC 325a ; Sear BC 301 ; Sommer 4 .
Similar style as on coins struck by the Ostrogoths in Rome.
The Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I always strove to restore as much of the Western Roman Empire as he could and certainly would not pass up the opportunity. Launched on both land and sea, Justinian began his war of reconquest. In 535, he commissioned Belisarius to attack the Ostrogoths following the success he had in North Africa against the Vandals. It was Justinian's intention to recover Italy and Rome from the Goths. Belisarius quickly captured Sicily and then crossed into Italy where he captured Naples and Rome in December of 536. Sometime during the spring of 537, the Goths marched on Rome with upwards of 100,000 men under the leadership of Witiges and laid siege to the city, albeit unsuccessfully. Despite having a majority margin of five-to-one, the Goths could not loose Belisarius from the former western capital of the Empire. After recuperating from siege warfare, Belisarius marched north, taking Mediolanum (Milan) and the Ostrogoth capital of Ravenna in 540.
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