Reign of Emperor Anastasius I (11 April 491- 1 July 518 A.D.)

From the Mint of Constantinople, 491-498 A.D.

Obverse: Diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield.

Reverse: Victory standing, facing left, holding long cross; star in right field.

Coin found in the Holy Land. In very good condition.

20 mm diameter; 4.50 g

Shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price.

Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority

**********
After Zeno died without designating a successor, the Empress Ariadne was called upon to select a new emperor. Her choice was an obscure but successful finance civil servant, Anastasius. She made a wise choice. Anastasius ruled successfully for 27 years. His financial expertise resulted in the accumulation of 320,000 pounds of gold! He also restructured the currency system, creating the nummus unit of account and the follis of 40 nummi. Because of the dramatic changes, Anastasius' reform is often seen by numismatists as the end of Roman coinage and the beginning of Byzantine coinage. The people of the empire didn't see it that way and continued to call themselves Romans until the fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins