Search


CNG Bidding Platform

Information

Products and Services



Research Coins: Feature Auction

 

Extremely Rare Ravenna Mint Anthemius

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1051. Estimate $5000. 
Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008. 
Sold For $5500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Anthemius. AD 467-472. AV Solidus (4.35 g, 6h). Ravenna mint. Struck AD 467-472. D N ΛNTHE-MIVS P F ΛVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, draped, and cuirassed facing bust, holding spear in right hand / SALVS R-EI P-VBLICΛE, Anthemius and Leo I standing facing, both supporting globe surmounted by cross between them and holding spear in opposite hands; RV//COMOB. RIC X 2877; Ranieri 170; cf. Lacam 23-4; Depeyrot 29/2; DOCLR 920 var. (rev. legend). Good VF. Extremely rare, RIC lists as R5, Ranieri as R4.


After the death of Libius Severus, the western half of the Roman Empire was without an emperor for over a year. The de facto power was wielded by Ricimer, and Leo was either too busy or did not feel there was a need to nominate an emperor. Matters changed, however, probably as a result of a Vandal raid into Greece, and Leo designated Procopius Anthemius emperor of the western provinces to deal with the Vandal menace issuing from Africa under Vandal king Gaiseric. The expedition against Gaiseric was a total failure from the start due to the incompetence of the joint commander from the East, Leo's brother-in-law Basiliscus. With the failure to defeat the Vandals and anti-Greek feelings in Rome, Anthemius was not well liked and eventually Olybrius, with the aid of Ricimer, usurped power. Anthemius was killed by the barbarian soldier Gundobald as he attempted to flee Rome.