Anastasius I. 491-518. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.35 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 3rd officina. Struck 492-507. D N ANASTA SIVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over right shoulder in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif on left shoulder / VICTORI A AVGGG, Victory, draped, standing left, holding long jeweled cross in right hand; star to right; Γ//CONOB. DOC 4a; MIBE 4a; SB 3. Toned, lightly clipped, reverse double struck, minor deposits. Near EF. Notably with the rarer cross decoration on the helmet rather than the trefoil.
Upon the death of Emperor Zeno, his widow, Ariadne, was tasked with appointing a successor to the throne. She selected Anastasius, a competent court official, and married him, cementing her continued position as empress. Anastasius proved to be an effective ruler for his time, particularly in the area of finances. He completely reformed the coinage and his reforms fundamentally shaped the history of Byzantine coinage which then stood as a model system in stark contrast to the deteriorating situation in the west. Anastasius was also notably Greek Orthodox, a requirement the people requested during the appointment process. He is considered to be the first Byzantine ruler on account of both the developments during his rule, and due to the diverging paths the eastern and western portions of what had long stood as the Roman Empire took during this time. This distinction, is however, largely convenient. The rulers and citizens of the eastern empire, ‘Byzantines,’ thoroughly considered themselves to be Romans and referred to themselves as such on their coinage. It was not until after the fall of the Byzantine state in the mid 15th century AD that western historians began referring to the eastern empire at this time as the ‘Byzantine’ Empire rather than the continuation of the Roman. In fact, it was even used as a derogatory distinction. Nonetheless, distinguished as the first Byzantine emperor, Anastasius laid the foundational groundwork essential for a successful civilization that is often overlooked or under-appreciated. In but one facet, the financial largess that his policies created enabled Justinian I’s bold plans of reconquest and his expensive campaigns just a decade after Anastasius’ reign. Ultimately, the groundwork that Anastasius laid set the stage for a thriving civilization that endured for a millennium.
