TYPE Byzantine Empire, Justinian I (527-565 AD), bronze follis, Constantinople mint, struck 541-2 AD, 23.40g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of emperor facing, holding globus cruciger, Latin legend D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG Rev: Denomination (M = 40 nummi), cross above, ANNO to left, regnal year 15 to right, officina B below, mint mark CON at bottom REFERENCE: SB 163 GRADING: AVF, brown patina ORDER INFO: B2721, $58 Impressive early example - from the fourth year of its introduction - of the trademarked old Byzantine follis design, with the crowned facing emperor's bust and standardized reverse with regnal year. While Anastasius' sweeping monetary reform of 498 AD introduced the first generation of Byzantine folles, it contained old Roman design elements, and it was not until 538/9 that Justinian established the standard that was to persist for centuries.