Leontius (AD 695-698). AV solidus (19mm, 4.43 gm, 7h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, brushed. Constantinople, 5th officina. D LЄO-N PЄ AV, bust of Leontius facing, bearded, wearing crown with cross on circlet and lozenge pattern loros, akakia in raised right hand, globus cruciger in left / VICTORIA-AVϚЧ Є, cross potent with base on three steps; CONOB below. Sear 1330. Struck on bright flan by attractive style dies. Governor of the newly created Theme of Hellas in Greece, Leontius was proclaimed emperor after the overthrow of Justinian II, in AD 695. His first mistake was not executing his predecessor; instead he cut off Justinian's nose and banished him to the Crimea. With the Byzantines in turmoil, the Arabs went on the offensive in North Africa and captured Carthage, in AD 698. The fleet Leontius sent to relieve the city instead rebelled and proclaimed its admiral Apsimar as emperor. Leontius abdicated and was initially spared, but was murdered after Justinian II's return to power, in AD 705. The coins of Leontius boast unusually realistic portraiture, portraying him as a portly man with a close-cropped beard.

HID09801242017

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