Aelia Verina. Augusta, AD 457-484. Æ (20mm, 4.20 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Leo I. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 635. Estimated: $ 500

Roman Imperial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Aelia Verina. Augusta, AD 457-484. Æ (20mm, 4.20 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Leo I. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Victory seated right, supporting shield set on knee and cippus with hand and inscribing a Christogram on it with stylus; CONE. RIC X 655; LRBC 2253. Dark brown patina, light smoothing. VF. Rare.

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 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 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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