Lot 4249
Tiberius III, Aspimar, 698-705. Gold Solidus (4.4g) minted at Constantinople, fifth officina. D TibERI - ЧS PE AV. Cuirassed bust facing of Tiberius III with short beard, wearing crown, holding spear across his body with right hand; shield over left shoulder. Reverse: VICTORIA AVSЧ E. Cross potent on three steps; below, CONOB. Sear 1360; DO 1. The obverse is magnificent! Virtually as struck. Rare, particularly so in this choice state of preservation. Lustrous. Nearly Mint State.
During the reign of Leontius, the Umayyad Caliph `Abd al-Malik took Carthage. Leontius dispatched an army to retake the city, but it failed. Rather than face the emperor's wrath for its failure, the army rebelled and named a Germanic naval officer and droungarious, Apsimar as their commander. Apsimar quickly renamed himself Tiberius and overthrew Leontius. The reign of Tiberius III ended with his execution after Justinian II was restored to the purple.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $2,645 |
