© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Solidus - Anthemius SALVS REI PVBLICAE; Mediolanum
| Gold | 4.40 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Western Roman Empire (Rome) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Anthemius (467-472) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 467-472 |
| Value | 1 Solidus |
| Currency | Solidus |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4.40 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#373729 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Anthemius and Leo I standing facing in military attire, spear in outer hand, jointly holding globe between them; MD in center field, mintmark in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SALVS REI - PV-BLICAE
M D
COMOB
Comment
Born into a distinguished Constantinopolitan family, Anthemius was highly regarded as a general and magistrate, and had been considered a prime candidate for the East Roman throne when his father-in-law, the emperor Marcian, died in AD 457. Instead, Leo I got the job, but Anthemius took the setback in stride and won a series of military victories over the Goths and Huns on Leo's behalf. In the mid AD 460s, Vandal raids on Greece convinced Leo that he needed to cooperate with the West Roman regime headed by the half-barbarian generalissimo Ricimer. In AD 467, with Ricimer's approval, Leo appointed Anthemius to the vacant western throne. Anthemius reached Rome on April 12 and was duly hailed as Augustus by the Senate, but many Italians viewed him as a Greek interloper and this colored his relations with the locals from the outset. In AD 468, a massive joint naval expedition against the Vandals in North Africa came to grief, badly undermining Anthemius' position. Visigothic gains in Gaul further eroded his popularity over the next few years and caused a dangerous rift to develop between Anthemius and Ricimer. Leo tried to mediate by sending a highborn envoy named Olybrius to Italy in the spring of AD 472, but Ricimer decided Olybrius would prove a more pliable puppet emperor and marched against Rome to depose Anthemius. Rome underwent a three-month siege and finally fell to a determined attack on the Pons Aelius. Anthemius donned the garb of a beggar and tried to escape, but was identified, captured and beheaded, probably on July 11, AD 472.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Solidus - Anthemius coin is that it features the first known use of the phrase "SALVS REI PVBLICAE" (Salus Rei Publicae), which translates to "the safety of the republic." This phrase became a common motto on coins throughout history, reflecting the importance of the well-being of the state and its people.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND (467-472) MD COMOB | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for Solidus - Anthemius (SALVS REI PVBLICAE; Mediolanum) (467-472) coin.
