Byzantine Empire, Mauricius Tiberius, Half Follis, Year 7

Maurice, whose full name was Mauricius Flavius Tiberius, sat for 20 years on the Byzantine throne (582-602). During this time he transformed the shattered antique Roman Empire into a new and well-organized medieval Byzantine Empire. In addition he brought the war with the Persians to a victorious end. For the first time in nearly 200 years Byzantine was no longer obliged to pay the Persians thousands of gold coins annually for peace. This somewhat unattractive half follis was issued in the 7th year of Maurice's reign. It depicts the emperor with a crown and a globus cruciger.