TYPE Byzantine Empire, Maurice Tiberius (582-602 AD), bronze follis (8 pentanummia), Cherson mint, 13.67g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Imperial couple facing, crowned, holding gl. cr. and small cross, Greek legend HER - SONOS (first part faint, but visible; all "omikron") Rev: Denomination (H = 8), nimbate figure standing to left of it holding long (rho-topped?) cross REFERENCE: SB 605v, An 317v GRADING: F / F+, rough olive green patina ORDER INFO: B2670, $280 A rare, massive, interesting, and even controversial issue. Anokhin argues that the reverse figure is not the usually assumed prince Theodosius, on the grounds of iconography, the fact that it appears a bearded man (rather than the young child he was) etc., and postulates a saintly figure. Given that and other considerations, he conludes that this anonymous issue belongs to the reign of Justin II. Also, the single specimen given in Anokhin gives the reverse as a simple cross, not the faintly visible "rho-topped" one apparent here. In any event, Cherson's switch, in the short span between Justinian and Maurice, from imperial names to the anonymous city legend and back, does pose a puzzle of sorts.