Tiny 8-9mm Arab Imitation of a Byzantine Coin? Maybe Just Byzantine?

[Pete B]

I hope everyone is enjoying a pleasant evening... just came across this copper coin: 8-9mm with an obvious Byzantine-type obverse, and a roaring lion standing right on the reverse. I'm just coming up empty; any help is very much appreciated

[Rupert]

Sorry, all I can tell you is that it's quite a beautiful little coin. You're right about the Byzantine-style obverse but the lion is almost too good to be Byzantine, isn't it? Very interesting!

Rupert

[a]

It is official Byzantine nummus. Rome mint:

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=406769

[Pete B]

Thanks Rupert and Explorer for your answers! I was coming up with the Ostrogothic King Baduila (541-549), his BMC-50 type. The size at 8mm and the Roaring Lion not on an exergue are spot on. The "...S" seen on at the end of the obverse legend is reversed on mine. I can't find that Lion reverse type of the King with a 'Byzantine style' obverse, and the garment matches the example of Justinian I, as do the pearl drops(?) seen to the right of the head. Justinian I it is. Thanks again!

[Pete B]

Rupert: Yeah, the Lion doesn't look very much like a Byzantine execution-too angular, almost stylistic, and it's roaring. I was very happy to learn of Ostrogothic imitations of Byzantine coinage. Finding examples is another matter... This looks like it was struck with a Justinian obverse (reverse "S" notwithstanding) and a Baduila reverse