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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,304 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Leo I was a Thracian-born soldier of humble stock who rose through the ranks to prominence. Eastern emperor Marcian died in 457, and the powerful Germanic Magister Militum, Aspar, installed Leo directly to he his puppet. Leo however, proved to be impossible to control once he had his taste of power, and wrestled control of Roman politics back from the Latinized barbarians. Initially successful, Leo was a critical component in the survival of the Western half of Rome past the disastrous reign of Valentinian III. He acted as a counter-weight to the excessive influence of the Goths over thr final string of puppet emperors, and aided in their defence on numerous occasions. His single most disastrous defeat came in 468 when he entrusted his brother in law Basiliscus with an enormous army to wrestle control of Roman Africa back from the Vandals who had captured it several decades earlier. Basiliscus was totally defeated, the 130,000-pounds-of-gold expedition a complete waste. Leo finally had Aspar executed in 471, and the ascent of his grandson Leo II, son of Zeno, seemed secure. Leo died of illness in 473, the first Roman emperor to survive past their 70th birthday since the third century. The nummus lot of 48 coins was maybe 1/4 Leo AE4's, but coughed up nearly a full set of reverse types for Leo. AE Nummus Diademed head right, garbled legend like DN LEONIS P AVG Leo's Latin monogram in wreath, CON below  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
AE Nummus Diademed head right, DN L-EO Verina standing, nimbate, holding cross-on-globe and scepter, b-E across fields  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
AE Nummus Diademed head right, legend unclear Leo standing, head right, holding long cross and dragging captive  (I believe this is a rarer type?) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
AE Nummus Diademed head left, DN LE- Lion in wreath crouching left, head right, CON below  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Your killing me Steve, two more excellent coins. There must have been a hoard of these found because I can't recall seeing this many. Not too long ago if one or two showed up every few years it was a thrilling find. Congrats.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Thanks Ron. I have noticed that the Leo AE's have dropped in price a bit, but I found a number in random lots before this one. I usually stop and search through any lots of AE4 LRBs that I spot, hopeful to snag one of the rare emperors!
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Really exceptional haul. Most people are happy with ONE Leo.
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
Yes these are very nice!
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Your collection, like your knowledge base, is wide-ranging and impressive, Steve. That's for sharing both the coins and the backstories. Very interesting posts.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
 I struggle/panic when I have 2 coins come through the post at the same time! Super coins and excellent write up.. Thanks for sharing,, Paul |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,304 |
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Posted 02/21/2018 2:47 pm
