Anastasius I, 491-518. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.41 g, 6 h), Thessalonica, circa 491-492. D N ANASTA-SIVS PEP (sic!) AVG Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Anastasius I facing, his head turned slightly to right, holding spear in his right hand and a shield, decorated with a horseman spearing a fallen foe, over his left shoulder. Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG / CONOB Victory standing front, head to left, holding long jeweled cross in her right hand; in field to left and to right, a star. DOC -. MIBE -, cf. 14 (PERP AVG). SB - cf. 30 (PERP AVG). An extremely rare variety of a very rare type. Lustrous and very well centered. Minor doubling on the reverse and very slightly bent, otherwise, virtually as struck.



This superbly preserved solidus belongs to the very rare early issue of Anastasius, distinguished by the long legend ending in PERP AVG, which the new emperor initially adopted from his predecessor Zeno. On the present specimen, however, it appears in the abbreviated form PEP.