Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2167. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANASTASIUS. 491-518. AR Siliqua (2.14 gm). Constantinople mint. D N ANASTA-SIVS P P AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VOT / MVLT / MTI, within wreath; in exergue, CONOS*. MIB 18(1) = Kapamadji collection 110 (this coin); DOC 13; BMC 16; SB 11. Beautifully toned and a splendid example late classical portrait style, Superb EF. ($2500) 

Ex Hess 24, (1964), lot 399; Collection N. K. (Bourgey, 27 October, 1992), lot 99.

On the death of Zeno, the Augusta Ariadne had the acumen to choose the elderly Epirote and imperial bodyguard Anastasius as emperor and consort. In 497 he recognized Theodoric’s rule in Italy and appears with full titles on most of the western coinage. By 505 the two powers fell out when the Ostrogoths defeated the Gepids and intervened south of the Danube in favor of the barbarian brigand Mundo. Anastasius retaliated in 508 by sending a fleet to ravage the Italian coast and granting the Frank Clovis consular status at a time when Theodoric wished to check the Frankish advance.