Late Roman Empire 457-474AD Leo I Gold Solidus Almost Uncirculated (AU50)

Late Roman Empire 457-474AD Constantinople Mint, Leo I Gold Solidus Almost Uncirculated (AU-50)

Leo I (AD 401–474), known as “Leo the Thracian,” ruled as Eastern Roman Emperor from 457 to 474 and was the first to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople, symbolizing the growing power of the Church in imperial affairs. Rising from humble origins, he worked to strengthen the Eastern Empire’s independence from powerful Germanic military leaders like Aspar, eventually orchestrating Aspar’s downfall. Leo invested heavily in the empire’s defenses and launched ambitious, though ultimately disastrous, campaigns to reclaim the Western Empire from the Vandals. His reign marked a significant step in the Eastern Empire’s evolution into the Byzantine state, blending Roman tradition with a distinctly Eastern political and religious identity.

Obverse: Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Leo I facing outward, holding a spear with his right hand that goes over his right shoulder, while over left shoulder is a shield decorated with a horseman riding down an enemy, with the legend around.
Reverse: Winged Victory standing facing left, holding a vexillum in left hand, with a start to the right, legend around, mint mark below.

Specifications:
Emperor: Leo I (457-474)
Composition: Gold
Weight: approx. 4.46 g
Diameter: 20 mm
Mint: Constantinople