SALVS REIPVBLICAE (18 january / 17 november 474)

Bust of Leo I facing, cuirassed, wearing a helmet with crest and a pearl diadem. Holding a spear passing behind his head with the right hand and a decorated shield with a horseman slaying an enemy, with the left hand.

Leo II on the left and Zeno on his right, both seated on throne. A latin cross placed between their two heads. A star placed between REI and PVBLICAE.

Coin illustrated in the RIC X, plate 27, n°803. Source: Turin, Museo Civico.

I have listed only one example of this type with the letter C on the reverse. The other coin, also unique and having an inverted letter Z for ZENO, was noted by J.P.C Kent in RIC X as having a letter C at the end of the legend on the reverse. The coin illustrated on plate 27, n°804 is without the letter C... Given that the RIC X only listed one coin with the letter Z inverted, I think that it was misclassified and that the coin illustrated is the only specimen seen with this variant concerning the letter Z.

I noted that the portrait on the obverse is that of Leo I and the letter C on the reverse as a legend and not an officina letter. Refer to my article published in the cahiers numismatiques n°.

On the obverse I noted ''Bust of Leo I'' because it is obvious that it is not a portrait of Leo II who is a child.