Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 108 16 May 2018
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Anthemius. AD 467-472. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 468. D N ANTHEMI-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SALVS RE-I PV-BLICAE, Anthemius and Leo I standing facing, each holding spear and supporting between them a large globus cruciger; *//CORMOB. RIC X 2826 var. (arrangement of rev. legend); Lacam 75 var. (as last; same obv. die); Depeyrot 63/3 (citing 1 specimen in Vienna). EF, faint graffiti in left field of obverse, minor doubling on reverse. Very rare.
After the death of Libius Severus, the western half of the Roman Empire was without an emperor for over a year. The power was wielded de facto by Ricimer, and Leo was either too busy or did not feel there was a need to nominate an emperor. Matters changed, however, probably as a result of a Vandal raid into Greece, and Leo designated Procopius Anthemius emperor of the western provinces to deal with the Vandal menace issuing from Africa under their king, Gaiseric. The expedition against Gaiseric was a total failure from the start due to the incompetence of the joint commander from the East, Leo's brother-in-law Basiliscus. With the failure to defeat the Vandals and anti-Greek feelings in Rome, Anthemius was unpopular and eventually Olybrius, with the aid of Ricimer, usurped power. Anthemius was killed by the barbarian soldier Gundobald as he attempted to flee Rome.
After the death of Libius Severus, the western half of the Roman Empire was without an emperor for over a year. The power was wielded de facto by Ricimer, and Leo was either too busy or did not feel there was a need to nominate an emperor. Matters changed, however, probably as a result of a Vandal raid into Greece, and Leo designated Procopius Anthemius emperor of the western provinces to deal with the Vandal menace issuing from Africa under their king, Gaiseric. The expedition against Gaiseric was a total failure from the start due to the incompetence of the joint commander from the East, Leo's brother-in-law Basiliscus. With the failure to defeat the Vandals and anti-Greek feelings in Rome, Anthemius was unpopular and eventually Olybrius, with the aid of Ricimer, usurped power. Anthemius was killed by the barbarian soldier Gundobald as he attempted to flee Rome.