Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1938. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $215. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Leo I. AD 457-474. AR Half Siliqua (0.80 g, 6h). Contemporary imitation of Constantinople mint. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SAL/REI/PUI (sic) in three lines within wreath; CONS*. RIC X 650; RSC 12†a. VF, toned, a little porous, find patina. Rare.

From the Marc Poncin Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 66 (19 May 2004), lot 1657.

Although siliquae of this type were struck throughout Leo's reign, Kent (in RIC) identified a similar series distinguished by a blundered legend, consistently lower weight (circa 0.71 g), and atypical fabric. Their origin and official character, however, remain uncertain, due the lack of a parallel for them in other reigns and the absence of any published evidence of provenance. As such, Kent tentatively labeled them as imitative.