An very rare solidus of Basil I, the Macedonian (867-886) with his second wife Eudocia and son Constantine.  Another classic rarity for Byzantine gold coins, this one due because the short production period of these coins (882).  This piece is the one listed in Harlan Berk's book (# 268). It is one of the finest known (extremely fine) and weighs 4.37g.

March 1999 Imitative Piece of the Month
 

A Beneventum solidus of Gisulf II (742-751). This is a previously unknown varety with the inverted Christian fish (or a Byzantine Monogram) in the left reverse field.  The piece weighs 4.01g and has a smoke like patina which is fairly common on coins of Beneventum.  I believe that this is due to the debasement of the coinage by mixing silver and the silver has oxidized.  The line of the reverse through the cross is a die break, not a scratch.  And like all other Beneventum pieces, I feel that it is currently undervalued for the true rarity.