40 Nummi - Justin II and Aelia Sophia Antioch

Justin II suffered what contemporaries described as recurring bouts of madness in his later years — possibly porphyria or a neurological collapse — and by 574 had effectively ceded day-to-day administration to his wife Sophia and the general Tiberius. Sophia's prominent placement on coinage throughout this reign was not ceremonial. She exercised genuine authority, negotiating directly with the Sassanid Persians and reportedly talking Justin down from violent episodes in the palace.

The Antioch mint, operating as Theoupolis following Justinian's refounding of the city after the 526 earthquake, was overrun by the Persians in 573 — a loss that visibly disrupted output from this series.