VISIGOTHS, Gaul. Euric (?), 466-484. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.45 g, 6 h), in the name of Zeno (476-491). Probably Arelate, after 476. D N LEO PE-RPET AVG Helmeted, pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust of Leo I facing, his head turned slightly to right, holding spear over his shoulder in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with a horseman spearing fallen foe, on his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG I / CONOB Victory standing front, head to left, holding long jeweled cross in her right hand; in field to right, star. DOC 690 (same dies). Extremely rare. Struck from slightly worn dies and with a few scrapes and the flan slightly wavy, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This fascinating coin was likely minted in Arelate (Arles), a city of strategic and economic importance on the Rhône River, in the years following its conquest by the Visigoths under King Euric. The Goths captured the city in 471, but the earliest possible date for the coin's minting is 476, when Zeno's second term in office started. Struck from the same pair of dies as Lot 3128.