40 Nummi - Anastasius I Dicorus Antioch, Type ♰M☾

Anastasius I's copper reform of 498 AD was among the most significant monetary restructurings in late Roman history — the reintroduction of large-denomination bronze after more than a century during which small, nearly worthless nummi had dominated everyday exchange. The 40-nummi piece was the workhorse of that new system, giving merchants and tax collectors a practical unit where none had functionally existed.

Antioch's mint was one of the original four authorized to strike the reformed coinage. The crescent mintmark distinguishing this particular officina placement is a consistent identifier for Antiochene production within the series.