538 NGC AU Justinian I Byzantine Empire Follis Nicomedia Mint Dated Coin (21010201C)

Dated Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE) Byzantine Empire large copper follis coin. AE follis or 40 nummi (22.34 gm, approx 41mm), Nicomedia mint (NIK), officinia A = 1st officina, reign year ANNO XII (=12) = 538/9 CE.  Certified by NGC to AU (light smoothing), Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5. Conditionally rare grade, glossy chocolate surfaces. Obverse: D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, globus cruciger in right hand, shield decorated with horseman motif in left. Reverse: cross in right field / Large M (mark of value); A/N/N/O to left, XII (year) to right, cross above, A below, NIK in exergue. Reference: Sear 201. No International Shipping. Justinian the Great was the Eastern Roman emperor from 527 to 565 CE. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire. Justinian's rule constitutes a distinct epoch in the history of the Later Roman empire, and his reign is marke