Byzantium, Tiberius II. Constantinus, AV Semissis

Byzantium, Tiberius II Constantinus 578 - 582, AV Semissis, Constantinople

Obv.: Dm CONSTAN-TINVS PP Al. Diadem. and armoured bust r., paludamentum
Rev.: UICTOR TIbEriaus. Cross of crutch on globe, below CONOB = Constantinople.

Historical

Tiberius I. also the II. Constantinus († 582)

He was Eastern Roman Emperor in the years 578 to 582.

On his coins and in official documents he always used the name Tiberius Constantinus. He is also referred to as Tiberios II when, in the spirit of continuity, the Roman Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD) is counted as Tiberios I.

On the gold coins of Tiberius II a new type of reverse was introduced, namely a crutched cross on steps or without steps (the latter: as seen here on this coin).

Tiberius had such a stepped cross erected as a sculpture on the Agora in Constantinople. It "reminds" of Christ's cross on Golgotha, which is said to have been found by Empress Helena in Jerusalem in 325.