Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1172. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANTHEMIUS. 467-472 AD. AV Solidus (4.37 gm). Rome mint. Struck 468 AD. D N ANTHE-MIVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman spearing a fallen enemy / SALVS R-EIP-VBLICAE, Anthemius and Leo standing facing, supporting between them a globe surmounted by a cross, each holding spear; christogram between them; CORMOB. RIC X 2823 note (this coin plated as 2823fn); Depeyrot 61/1; Lacam 73; DOCLR 916. EF. ($4000)

From the William H. Williams Collection.

After the death of Libius Severus, the western half of the Roman Empire was without an emperor for over a year. The power was wielded de facto 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 their 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.