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Zeno and Leo Caesar. AD 476-477. AV Tremissis (13.5mm, 1.45 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Pearl-diadmed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star to right; CONOB. RIC X 908; Depeyrot 107/2. Toned, graffiti, marks, small attempted piercing. Near VF. Very rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 331 (23 July 2014), lot 355.
This issue long puzzled scholars and catalogers due to the wording of the obverse legend, D N ZENO ET LIEO NOV CAES. The issue was previously thought to be a reference to two separate caesars under the usurper Basiliscus belonging to the period of his reign from 475-476 (cf. J. P. C. Kent, "Zeno and Leo, the Most Noble Caesars" in (NC 1959, pp. 93-98 and pl. VIII)). However, current scholarship has determined that the coin does in fact belong to the early period of Zeno’s second reign and that the Leo Caesar it references refers to Basiliscus, the son of the turncoat general Armatus, renamed to the more acceptable Leo. When Armatus betrayed the usurper emperor Basiliscus and aided the rightful deposed ruler Zeno in his return to power, he made Zeno promise to name his son as caesar. While this promise was briefly honored, once Zeno was securely restored, he disposed of his associate, the junior Basiliscus/Leo, and executed Armatus.
Closing Date and Time: 4 June 2026 at 11:21:00 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
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