Leo V the Armenian, with Constantine. 813-820. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 703. Estimated: $ 1 500

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 6 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Leo V the Armenian, with Constantine. 813-820. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Crowned facing bust of Leo, wearing chlamys, holding cross potent and akakia / Crowned facing bust of Constantine, wearing chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia; X at end of legend. DOC 2b; Füeg 2.B.2; SB 1627. Toned, reverse double struck, a few faint scratches on reverse. EF.

From the Best Collection of Byzantine Coins. Ex Gorny & Mosch 146 (6 March 2006), lot 554.

Following the disastrous battle of Pliska in 811, in which Emperor Nicephorus I was slain and his son Stauracius mortally wounded, Stauracius’ 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 public 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 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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