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Orbis Collectibles

RIC X Basiliscus and Marcus 1019

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 475–AD 476

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Solidus in gold struck at Constantinople under Basiliscus, AD 475–AD 476, catalogued as RIC X Basiliscus and Marcus 1019. Obverse: Bust of Basiliscus, helmeted, pearl-diademed, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear in right hand behind head and shield decorated with horseman on left arm.

Reverse: Basiliscus and Marcus, nimbate, draped, enthroned, facing front, each holding mappa in outer hand; star above; cross behind. Obverse legend: D N bASILISC-I ET MARCI C. Reverse legend: SALVS REI - PVRLICAE.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

In January 475, Emperor Zeno fled Constantinople amid a court plot, and the Eastern Roman Senate acclaimed Basiliscus as emperor. Basiliscus raised his son Marcus to caesar in 475 and subsequently to augustus, making him junior co-emperor. This gold solidus, a denomination introduced in the early 4th century, reflects their joint reign in the Eastern Empire before Zeno reoccupied Constantinople in August 476 and exiled both rulers.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Manufacture
Struck
Denomination
Solidus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Constantinople
Issuing authority
Basiliscus

Design

Obverse type
Bust of Basiliscus, helmeted, pearl-diademed, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear in right hand behind head and shield decorated with horseman on left arm
Reverse type
Basiliscus and Marcus, nimbate, draped, enthroned, facing front, each holding mappa in outer hand; star above; cross behind
Obverse legend
D N bASILISC-I ET MARCI C
Reverse legend
SALVS REI - PVRLICAE

Identification

How to identify
RIC separates types by mint and officina marks, obverse legend and bust form, and reverse legend and type; check the exergue and field marks against the RIC number before accepting a match.
Type corpus record
https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.10.bas-mar_e.1019
Catalogue reference
RIC X Basiliscus and Marcus 1019
Type corpus identifier
ric.10.bas-mar_e.1019
Source note
The type record is Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), the American Numismatic Society's digital edition of Roman Imperial Coinage.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
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

Research required

  • Nominal weight not transcribed from a primary reference
  • Diameter and die axis not transcribed
  • Mint mark and officina detail not transcribed
  • No rights-cleared photograph identified yet
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