Very Rare Western Mint Solidus of Anthemius

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 824. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $8500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Anthemius. AD 467-472. AV Solidus (4.32 g, 6h). Ravenna mint. D N PROC ANTH-EMIVS P F AVG, pearl-and-rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SALVS REI-P-V-BLICAE, Anthemius and Leo I, both nimbate, standing facing, holding in their right hands between them a long cross, each holds globe in left hand; R-V//COMOB. RIC X 2866 (same dies as illustration); Lacam 2-3 (same dies); Depeyrot 27/1; DOCLR 901. EF, areas of flat strike. Very rare.

From the Marc Poncin Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 138 (7 March 2005), lot 2538.

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.