File:Byzantine coins reverse (FindID 161507).jpg

English: Four early medieval copper alloy coins, known as 'folles', or (‘follis’ for a single coin), dating to the sixth century AD. It is probable that they are all from the reigns of Justin I (AD 518-27) and Justinian I (527-65) and that they were struck between 518 and 537.

1) Copper alloy follis, of Justin I or Justinian (518-565),struck at Constantinople (c. 518-537): Obv. D N IV[ ]; diademed bust r. Rev. Large M [indicating 40 nummi]; above, cross; either side unclear; below, possibly A [showing that the coin was struck in the first workshop at Constantinople]; in exergue, CON

2) Probably Justin I (518-27), copper alloy follis of Constantinople (probably struck c. 518-22): Obv. (DN IVSTINVS)[ ]; diademed bust r. Rev. large M [indicating 40 nummi]; above, cross; on either side, a star; below, Delta {indicating coin struck in 4th workshop at Constantinople]; in exergue CON c.f. Hahn, MIBE, no. 11

3) The third coin is very worn on the obverse; the reverse bears the Greek letter ‘M’ under which are the letters ‘CON’, again, showing that this follis was minted in Constantinople, probably also c. 518-537.

4) The fourth coin is too worn to read, but it is of a similar size and weight to the other three coins, so is most probably also a follis.

The finder reported that there were originally about ten coins altogether (the other six or so are now lost). When the coins were discovered, they were stuck together in a line with a heavy ‘bar’ of corrosion along one length. Sam Moorhead has suggested that the coins were probably found in this arrangement because they were in a purse, which has since rotted away.

Although it is believed that many coins of this type found in Britain were souvenirs brought over from the continent during the last two centuries, the description of the way the coins were found, together with the patina of the coins, indicates that they probably came to Devon during the early medieval period.

The coins are a significant find because they date to the transitionary stage between the last days of the Roman empire and the beginning of the Byzantine empire. In Britain this period is known as the Early Medieval period or the ‘Dark Ages’, and at present, it is one of the least understood periods of our history. The fact that the coins, which were minted in Constantinople, were discovered on the banks of a navigable river in Devon, indicates links directly, or indirectly, with the Byzantine world.

The National Finds Adviser might revise the descriptions when he has had a chance to handle the coins himself.