Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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Aelia Verina. Augusta, AD 457-484. AV Tremissis (1.47 g, 5h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Leo I, AD 462 or 466. AEL VERI NA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Cross within wreath (ties 14); CONOB(star). RIC X 614; MIRB 10; Depeyrot 96/1; DOCLR 595-7. Slightly wavy flan, scratches, edge clipped. Good VF. Very rare.
Verina, the wife of Leo I, had an extraordinary personal history, plotting from time to time for and against her various relatives in numerous intrigues to control the succession or seize the throne. The very rare gold coinage in her name is attributed to two separate periods, an earlier issue struck in 462 or 466 and a later issue in 471 or 473. This gold tremissis dates to the former period, in the middle of Leo's long reign. From the scant historical sources, Verina appears to have been the consummate imperial schemer who regularly instigated and switched sides in various deadly dynastic disputes without suffering any consequences for her actions. She retired to a nunnery in AD 480, but emerged in AD 484 for one final intrigue against her son-in-law Zeno. This, too, failed and Verina died in the aftermath; whether or not by violence is not recorded.
Verina, the wife of Leo I, had an extraordinary personal history, plotting from time to time for and against her various relatives in numerous intrigues to control the succession or seize the throne. The very rare gold coinage in her name is attributed to two separate periods, an earlier issue struck in 462 or 466 and a later issue in 471 or 473. This gold tremissis dates to the former period, in the middle of Leo's long reign. From the scant historical sources, Verina appears to have been the consummate imperial schemer who regularly instigated and switched sides in various deadly dynastic disputes without suffering any consequences for her actions. She retired to a nunnery in AD 480, but emerged in AD 484 for one final intrigue against her son-in-law Zeno. This, too, failed and Verina died in the aftermath; whether or not by violence is not recorded.