A Byzantine Temporary Mint and Justin II's Lombard Campaign

Obverse die linked coins in the name of Justin II are described which bear the mint signatures of Ravenna and Cyzicus. It is suggested that they may have been issued by a special military mint in Italy to support Justin II's campaign against the Lombards in the mid-570s. There is a possible precedent in that other military coins seem to have been issued in the west at the time of Justinian I's overthrow of the Gothic kingdom in Italy in the early 550s. The evidence for and against production by eastern mint workers accompanying the army to Italy is examined.