Late Roman Empire 474AD Leo II Gold Solidus Almost Uncirculated (AU50) SCARCE

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

Leo II (AD 467–474) was the young grandson of Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I and the son of Zeno and Ariadne. Crowned co-emperor alongside his grandfather in 473, he became sole emperor early in 474 upon Leo I’s death, but his reign lasted only a few months due to his untimely death at around seven years old. Despite his brief time on the throne, Leo II’s accession marked a rare instance of a legitimate dynastic succession in the Eastern Empire, and after his passing, power reverted to his father, Zeno.

Obverse: The helmeted, pearl-diademed, cuirassed bust of either Leo II or Zeno, facing outward, holding a spear in his right hand over his shoulder and behind his head, and a shield decorated with a horseman on his left shoulder, with the legend around.
Reverse: Leo II, left, and Zeno, right, seated facing forward on a double throne, diademed and wearing the Imperial mantle, with a mappa in their right hands, with a cross above, and a star above that, legend around, mint mark below.

Specifications:
Emperors: Leo II (467-474) and Zeno (474-491)
Composition: Gold
Weight: 4.5 g
Diameter: 20 mm
Mint: Constantinople