Lot 3222

Description

Constantine V Copronymus, (741-775) with Leo IV (from 751) and Leo III, gold solidus, Officina **F*, Constantinople mint, issued 764-773, (4.43 grams), obv. facing busts of Constantine V and son Leo IV, each crowned bust facing wearing chlamys, cross above, dot between, around CONSTANTINOS S LEON O NEOS, rev. Facing bust of Leo III with short WEARING LOROS, beard holding cross potent, **F* at end of legend, (S.1551, DOC 2g.1, Fueg 6,B.5). Good very fine - extremely fine, slightly double struck and very scarce.

From DOC (p. 294): "The appearance of the letter **F* which had never occurred in the traditional pattern of officina letters, shows that the numerical series of officinae had now been abandoned in favor of new control marks whose exact significance is unknown."