Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 536 12 Apr 2023
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Zeno. Second reign, AD 476-491. Æ (12mm, 1.16 g, 6h). Uncertain mint (Cyzicus?). D N ZENONS P F AY, helmeted and draped bust right / Zeno, nimbate, standing facing, holding globus cruciger and long cross or vexillum. Cf. RIC X 951, 953-956; LRBC –; MIRB 28. Earthen green patina, deposits. Near VF. Extremely rare with complete obverse legend.
Only a handful of the helmeted bust nummi of Zeno are known, and they display a significant number of variations in legend and type details. Among the known legend varieties, MIRB 28 has two specimens, but neither has a legible obverse; the reverse legend on one clearly ends in NO. MIRB refers to a specimen offered by Kovaks in FPL 24 (June, 1985), lot 195 (the same type as RIC 951). That obverse reads D N ZINO[N]S P F A (the reverse of which shows no legend). A specimen in Sternberg XV (11-12 April, 1985), lot 831 (= RIC 953), has the N at right on the reverse. The obverse type is described as helmeted bust of Roma, and the legend as INVICTA ROMA (clearly incorrect). The emperor is shown standing facing forward or to the right, holding globus or globus cruciger, long cross or vexillum. Apparently only one specimen has a legible mintmark- MIRB 281 (RIC 955) with NIC; attributions to Constantinople and Cyzicus are based on stylistic considerations.
Only a handful of the helmeted bust nummi of Zeno are known, and they display a significant number of variations in legend and type details. Among the known legend varieties, MIRB 28 has two specimens, but neither has a legible obverse; the reverse legend on one clearly ends in NO. MIRB refers to a specimen offered by Kovaks in FPL 24 (June, 1985), lot 195 (the same type as RIC 951). That obverse reads D N ZINO[N]S P F A (the reverse of which shows no legend). A specimen in Sternberg XV (11-12 April, 1985), lot 831 (= RIC 953), has the N at right on the reverse. The obverse type is described as helmeted bust of Roma, and the legend as INVICTA ROMA (clearly incorrect). The emperor is shown standing facing forward or to the right, holding globus or globus cruciger, long cross or vexillum. Apparently only one specimen has a legible mintmark- MIRB 281 (RIC 955) with NIC; attributions to Constantinople and Cyzicus are based on stylistic considerations.