| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61386 | Auction date: 21 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 24130 Price realized: 1,900 USD (Approx. 1,783 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Leontius (AD 695-698). AV solidus (19mm, 6h). ANACS MS 62. Constantinople, 1st officina. D LЄO-N PЄ AV, bust of Leontius facing, bearded, wearing crown with cross on circlet and lozenge pattern loros, akakia in raised right hand, globus cruciger in left / VICTORIA-AVϚЧ Δ A, cross potent with base on three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1331 (unattested officina). Governor of the newly created Theme of Hellas in Greece, Leontius was proclaimed emperor after the overthrow of Justinian II in AD 695. His first mistake was not executing his predecessor; instead he cut off Justinian's nose and banished him to the Crimea. With the Byzantines in turmoil, the Arabs went on the offensive in North Africa and captured Carthage in AD 698. The fleet Leontius sent to relieve the city instead rebelled and proclaimed its admiral Apsimar as emperor. Leontius abdicated and was initially spared, but was murdered after Justinian II's return to power in AD 705. The coins of Leontius boast unusually realistic portraiture, portraying him as a portly man with a close-cropped beard. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-leontius-ad-695-698-av-solidus-19mm-6h-anacs-ms-62/a/61386-24130.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61386-04212024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
