Lot 4120

Description

Tiberius II Constantine, (A.D. 578-582), gold solidus, light weight issue of 22 siliquae, (4.06 g), Constantinople mint, now attributed to Antioch mint, obv. crowned and cuirassed facing bust, holding cross and shield, around dM TIb CONS TANT P P AVI, rev. cross potent set on four steps, around VICTORI A AVGG**QS*, OB +* in exergue, (S.446 [Antioch mint], DOC 38, W.9, To. 12, R.-, MIB 5, Hahn 5 [Constantinople mint]). Extremely fine, very rare.

Ex CNG, Mail Bid Sale 90, May 23, 2012, (lot 1771), previously the property of Princeton Economics acquired by Martin Armstrong, who acquired it from Sothebys New York, 2 November 1998, (lot 126), lot includes tickets for both auctions.
Light-weight solidus of 22 siliquae were minted by emperor Tiberius Constantine at Antioch in Syria, c.580 A.D. The light-weight solidi were issued also by other emperors from c. 550-650 and they were made primarily for the foreign trade with Europe.