Byzantine Gold Solidus of Emperor Leo I
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 462 to 466 CE
This Byzantine gold solidus dates to the reign of Emperor Leo I, struck in Constantinople between 462 and 466 CE. The coin is composed of 23.99 karat gold and weighs 4.4 grams.
The obverse depicts a front-facing, helmeted, and pearl-diademed bust of Emperor Leo I, clad in a military cuirass, holding a spear and a shield adorned with a horseman. It bears the Latin inscription "D N LEO PERPET AVG," standing for "Dominus Noster Leo Perpetuus Augustus." The reverse features a winged figure of Victory standing and holding a jeweled cross, accompanied by the inscription "VICTORIA AVGGG I," which indicates the coin was produced by the 10th officina.
A star is visible in the right field, and the exergue contains the mint mark "CONOB," representing Constantinople. Beyond its function as currency, the solidus served as an instrument of imperial propaganda, reflecting the political and religious stability of the Byzantine Empire during the 5th century.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 4.4 grams
- Diameter
- 2.1 cm
- Material
- Gold (23.99 karat)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Constantinople
- Officina
- 10th
- Mint mark
- CONOB
Design
- Obverse
- Front-facing helmeted and pearl-diademed bust of Leo I, cuirassed, holding spear and shield with horseman motif
- Reverse
- Winged figure of Victory standing left, holding a long jeweled cross
- Inscriptions
- D N LEO PERPET AVG, VICTORIA AVGGG I
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.