Justin II




		565 - 578

	Nephew of Justinian I , Justin was selected for the succession by Justinian himself. Justin was not another Justinian, and his predecessor's massive policies left him struggling to cope. Most of Italy was quickly lost, as were the Spanish reconquests. During his reign, he relied heavily on the help of his wife, the Empress Sophia, and she figures prominently on his coins. In 574, he succumbed to mental illness, and appointed his Count of the Excubitors, Tiberius, as Caesar. From this time on, Tiberius was emperor in all but name.

	AE Follis Obv : Justin, left, and Sophia, right, crowned and enthroned, facing. Justin holds a globus cruciger and Sophia a sceptre. A cross between their heads IVSTS... Rev : Large 'M', ANNO before, officina letter below (B). BCV 369, 565 - 578 Nicomedia mint. 27mm diameter.
	AE Half Follis Obv : Justin, left, and Sophia, right, enthroned and nimbate, facing. Justin holds a globus cruciger and Sophia a crossed sceptre. ...NVS PP AV Rev : Large 'K', ANNO before, 'GI/II after,officina letter below (epsilon). (Regnal year 9) BCV 361, 574 - 575 the first year of the Regency of Tiberius. Constantinople mint. 20mm diameter
	AE Half Follis Obv : Justin, left, and Sophia, right, enthroned and nimbate, facing. Between them they hold a globe surmounted by a large cross DN IVST... Rev : Large 'K', ANNO before, cross above, officina letter below, IX after. (Regnal year 11) BCV 381, 576 - 577 Antioch/Theoupolis mint. 23mm diameter
	AE Half Follis Obv : Crowned head and shoulders of Justin, facing, holding globus cruciger DN IVST... Rev : Large 'K', ANNO before, cross above, officina letter below, uI after. (Regnal year 6) BCV 365, 570 - 571 Thessalonica mint. 19mm diameter