Leo V the Armenian. 813-820. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 11 July-25 December 813. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 912. Estimated: $ 20 000

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 18 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Leo V the Armenian. 813-820. AV Solidus (19.5mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 11 July-25 December 813. Crowned facing bust of Leo, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Leo, wearing loros, holding globus cruciger; *X at end of legend. DOC (1); Füeg 1.A (same dies as illustrated example); SB 1626. Toned. EF. An exceptional example of this very rare issue of Leo V before his association with his son Constantine (Smbat). Among the finest known. Very rare.

Following the disastrous battle of Pliska in 811, in which Emperor Nicephorus I was slain and his son Stauracius mortally wounded, Straucius’ bother-in-law Michael I assumed the throne. Michael’s reign, however, was short lived as his regime was also toppled following a failed military venture against the Bulgar Khan Krum, this time at the battle of Versinikia in 813. Consequently, Leo V, strategos of the Anatolic Theme, came to power. He achieved more success against the Bulgars than his two direct predecessors, however, the real diminishment of Bulgar power came with the death of the formidable Khan Krum during Leo’s reign in 814. This allowed Leo to focus his attention on domestic issues; namely, a renewed prosecution of iconoclasm. At this point, however, enthusiasm for the iconoclastic controversy was diminishing and Leo’s zealous persecution of this policy led to sentiment shifting against him. He was ultimately assassinated before the high altar of the Hagia Sophia on Christmas Day 820.

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 Four – Lot 889-1124 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 19 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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