Description
Anastasius I Dicorus, Byzantine Emperor of the Leonid Dynasty 491-518 AD, Gold Solidus (4.36g, 20mm), Constantinople mint. Obverse: Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Anastasius I Dicorus facing forward, head turned slightly to the right, wielding spear and shield; his weapon extends behind and his shield, which is decorated with a horseman motif, rests on his left shoulder, legend surrounds, “DN ANASTASIVS PP AVC”. Reverse: Victoria stands facing to the left, draped and holding long jewelled sceptre surmounted by inverted Tau-Rho, star within left field, mintmark “CONOB” in exergue, legend surrounds, “VICTORIA AVGGG Δ”. Sear-5. Despite the very minor, unobtrusive dig to the reverse, the offered example is choicely centred and the obverse of quite fine style, details near Mint State.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Dominus Noster, Anastasius, perpetuus Augustus”, with an English translation of “Our Lord, Anastasius, the perpetual Augustus”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “Victōria Augustōrum” followed by the 4th officina letter “Δ”, with an English translation of “Victory of the Augusti”. Despite the Western Empire’s fall and the lack of co-rulers to those of the East, the use of the Genitive plural of “Augustus” on the reverse is likely a general term referring victory to all of the current and future Emperors.