Who says that there are not unfound bargains in numismatics today?  This solidus of Justin II from Thessalonica (similar to Sear 364d) is not only a scare mint, but with the slight beard. Through my research I can not find another example of this coin, which appears to be a unique at least at this time.  It was purchased within the last year in a major auction for less than $400.00.  With the normal type (without beard) current retailing for $1000 to $3500 (the Berk coin that sold this last November, an absolutely FDC example of 364d), this was a real bargain.  The usage of a beard on the obverse portrait has been proposed to demonstrate a period of mourning for the prior emperor. This piece weighs 4.34g and has a small nick on the reverse boarder at 10 o'clock.  Notice the thin lettering on the reverse (and lack of officinae letter) that is indicative of the Thessalonica mint.

May 1999 Imitative Piece of the Month
 

A Beneventum solidus of Sicard (832-839). This is a superb example of a fairly common variety Beneventum solidus that is struck in electrum.  By this time in history, Beneventum was in a major decline and most of the coinage was extremely debased.  This coin is also interesting in the fact that it is over 30 mm in diameter, were prior issues were around 24 mm.  The piece weighs 3.96g .  And like all other Beneventum pieces, I feel that it is currently undervalued for the true rarity.