| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 32326 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Leontius (AD 695-698). AV solidus (20mm, 4.45 gm, 6h). NGC MS 4/5 - 2/5, brushed, die shift. Constantinople, 2nd 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 B Δ, cross potent with base set on three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1331A (unattested officina). Soft, goldenrod toning. 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-20mm-445-gm-6h-ngc-ms-4-5-2-5-brushed-die-shift/a/3115-32326.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
