Zeno. Second reign, AD 476-491. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Uncertain issuer in the name of Zeno. Uncertain Western mint. Struck circa August AD 476-circa April 491. Near EF.

Electronic Auction 539
Lot: 754. Estimated: $ 300

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Zeno. Second reign, AD 476-491. AV Solidus (19mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Uncertain issuer in the name of Zeno. Uncertain Western mint. Struck circa August AD 476-circa April 491. Helmeted, diademed, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield / Victory standing left, holding long cross; star to right; B/CONO(devolved R). RIC X –; DOCLR p. 184-5 and 188-9; Lacam Class I, Type 2, pl. CCII, 2 var. (unlisted officina; Theoderic); cf. COI, p. 13-16 (for discussion) cf. MEC 1, p. 33-36 (for discussion). A few minor nicks at edge. Near EF.

This uncertain western mint solidus in the name of Zeno belongs to a rather complex and indefinitely understood series. DOCLR describes the series as “highly complex coinage struck in Zeno’s name in the West during the fifteen years between his recovery of Constantinople...and his death.” Lacam in his 1983 work most thoroughly tackled this series by categorizing them with attributions to various rulers, mints, and dates. Following his criteria, this solidus would be attributed to the Campagne mint from 488-489, issued by the Ostrogothic King Theoderic prior to the capture of Milan. However, Lacam’s conclusions have not been universally accepted in recent scholarship. In his 2004 work on Ostrogothic coinage, Metlich was unconvinced that any solidi in the name of Zeno could be definitely attributed to Theoderic and does not include them in his work (cf. COI, p. 13-16). Additionally, Grierson & Blackburn in 1986 also elected to exclude the series in their entry on Ostrogothic pseudo-Imperial coinage.

Regardless of their ultimate attribution (which will hopefully be unraveled in future scholarship), these solidi feature outstanding craftsmanship; but perhaps most interestingly, they belong to the fascinating period in late Roman history when the fate of the Western Roman Empire was being determined by a cast of characters such as Odovacar, Zeno, Theoderic, and the then-sidelined Julius Nepos and Romulus Augustus.

Closing Date and Time: 31 May 2023 at 14:11:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.