Aelia Verina. Augusta, AD 457-484. Æ (22mm, 6.00 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck under Leo I. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 886.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Estimate: $ 500

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Aelia Verina. Augusta, AD 457-484. Æ (22mm, 6.00 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck under Leo I. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Victory seated right, supporting and inscribing shield with a Christogram set on a cippus; CONЄ. RIC X 656; LRBC 2253. Dark green-brown patina, some cleaning scratches. VF. A wonderful example of this difficult type.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 96 (14 May 2014), lot 943.

Aelia Verina, the wife of Leo I, had an extraordinary personal history. She was engaged in numerous plots both for and against her relatives in various intrigues either to control the succession or seize the throne. From the limited historical sources available, Verina appears to have been the consummate imperial schemer who regularly instigated and switched sides in deadly dynastic disputes. She notably conspired after the death of her husband Leo I against her son-in-law, the Isaurian Zeno, who became emperor after the death of his son (Verina's grandson), Leo II. During the short reign of Leo II, the young ruler raised his father to the rank of co-augustus alongside him. But upon Leo II's untimely death, Verina took part in a conspiracy in which her brother Basiliscus successfully usurped the lawful emperor Zeno. The deposed emperor escaped the capital with his wife and fled to his native region of Isauria. This conspiracy, however, ultimately failed and Zeno orchestrated a successful return to power. Zeno's second reign lasted another fifteen years until his death in AD 491. However, his second reign was not without incident. Verina, not dissuaded, emerged again in AD 484 for one last intrigue against her son-in-law, this time conspiring with the general Illus (who was also an Isaurian soldier). Zeno crushed the revolt, and Verina died during the siege of Papyrius, the last holdout of the rebel forces.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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