ANASTASIUS I GOLD SOLIDUS – ISSUE OF CONSTANTINOPLE OFFICINA I – EF BYZANTINE COIN (Inv. 21213)

$1,650.00

21213. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. ANASTASIUS I, AD 491–518.
Gold Solidus, 4.35 g, 22 mm. Issue of Constantinople, officina I.
Obv. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, three quarters facing bust of Anastasius, wearing cuirass and holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. VICTORIA AVGGG I, Victory standing left, holding long staff with staurogram, star in left field, CONOB in exergue.
Sear 5.
Published: Joseph A. Dow, Ancient Coins Through the Bible (2011), p. 298 (this coin).
Ex CNG 55, 9/13/2000, lot 1505.
EF, clipped, graffito.

Numismatically speaking, the reign of Anastasius I marks the beginning of Byzantine coinage. Although historically and artistically there is no break and certainly the “Byzantines” continued to call themselves “Romans” down to the fall of the empire, Anastasius did establish a major monetary reform in AD 498 which is often regarded as heralding the beginning of Byzantine coinage.