Anastasius I

491 - 518

On the death of the emperor Zeno, the widowed empress Ariadne selected an obscure civil servant, Anastasius, to be the next emperor. He proved to be a wise choice. Frugal and careful, Anastasius increased the wealth of the empire enormously, and in 498 reformed the coinage to what we know as the Byzantine series. He reigned for 27 years and provided the financial basis for the future reconquests of Justinian I.

 

AE Follis

Obv : Diademed, draped bust of Anastasius, right.
DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG

Rev : Large 'M', star before, cross above, star after, officina mark (alpha) below.

BCV 19, 498 - 512  

Constantinople mint. 34mm diameter

 

AE Follis

Obv : Diademed, draped bust of Anastasius, right.
DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG

Rev : Large 'M', star before, cross above, crescent after, officina mark (epsilon) below.

BCV 22, 498 - 512  

Constantinople mint. 35mm diameter

 

AE Half Follis

Obv : Diademed, draped bust of Anastasius, right.
DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG

Rev : Large 'K', cross before, star above and below, officina mark (gamma) after.

BCV 24, 507 - 512  

Constantinople mint. 18mm diameter