Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1656. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $1250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LEO III with CONSTANTINE V. 717-741 AD. AV Tremissis (0.82 gm). Sardinia mint. [C]•NSTA (ST ligate) to left, LEON to right, crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger / Garbled legend, cross potent on steps; S in right field; CONOB. Cf MIB 5; SB 1522B (Leo III sole reign). Good VF, slight scuff marks. Extremely rare, possibly the second known specimen. ($500)

The three published examples of MIB 5 are in Paris and Turin. Their legends are tentatively transcribed as DNMLEON..., and are dated to the sole reign of Leo III (717-720). This variant has the names of Leo III and Constantine V, his son and co-emperor after 720. Another specimen from the same obverse die, also catalogued as Leo III sole reign, was in Numismatica Ars Classica Autumn 1995 sale, lot 886.