Byzantine Empire. Leo I the Thracian, AD 457–474. Lot of 8 AE4 nummi (bronze).

Byzantine Empire. Leo I the Thracian, AD 457–474. Lot of 8 AE4 nummi (bronze).

Total weight: 8.2 g (average ∼1.02 g per coin). Diameters approx. 9–11 mm.

Comprising small bronze nummi of Leo I, Constantinople and uncertain eastern mints, circa 457–474 AD. Obverses: D N LEO P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverses include: lion left looking back within wreath; monogram of Leo within wreath; Leo standing with captive; and Verina types (as typical for the reign).

Condition: Fair to Fine, mostly with dark green to olive-brown patina, some earthen deposits and edge roughness. Legends partially legible, types identifiable. A good study group of the smallest late-Roman/early-Byzantine bronzes.

Reference: RIC X 666–680 for lion and monogram types. Cf. standard descriptions: "AE4, Constantinople mint. D N LEO P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / Lion left, looking back, within wreath"; typical size "AE9 mm", weight around 0.4–1.0 g (cf. 0.4 g; and Leu example "Nummus (Bronze, 10 mm, 1.00 g, 7 h)"). 

Provenance: private Florida collection.