Byzantine Empire - AD 578-582 Tiberius II Constantine AV Solidus NGC MS

From the Faces in Time Collection of Ancient coinage (01).

Constantinople Mint, 10th officina, struck 579-582. Tlb CONS-TANT PP AVG obverse presents a cuirassed bust of Tiberius II Constantine wearing a crown with pendilia facing front, holding globus cruiger and shield decorated with horseman motif to the left. VICTORI-A AVGG A Reverse cross potent with base set on four steps. CONOB below. Sear 422, MIBE 4, DOC 4j. Dramatic, sparkling example with original mint luster. NGC strike: 5/5, surface: 4/5.

Image of Tiberius II Constantine from Mutinensis graecus 122, a 15th century codex written in Greek.

Tiberius II Constantine was Eastern Roman emperor from 574 to 582. He rose to power in 574 when Justin II, prior to having a nervous breakdown, declared him Caesar and adopted him as his son. In 578, the dying Justin II gave him the title of Augustus, and he thereby became co-emperor with him. Tiberius became sole ruler less than two weeks later, taking the regnal name of "Constantine" under which he ruled until his passing.