Zeno, second reign, 476-491. Solidus (Gold, 18 mm, 4.44 g, 6 h), CONOR mint. D N ZENO PERP AVG Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Zeno facing, his head turned slightly to right, holding spear in his right hand and with shield, decorated with horseman attacking a fallen foe, over his left shoulder.
Rev. VICTORI-A AVGGG B / CONOR Victory standing front, head to left, holding long jeweled cross in her right hand; in field to right, star. Depeyrot -. Cf. CNG E-Auction 571 (2024), 1210 (for similar issue). RIC -. Very rare. Some minor nicks and with two banker's marks (?) on the obverse
, otherwise, extremely fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
The attribution of CONOR coins remains one of the great mysteries of late Roman numismatics. These coins were once thought to be minted by Theoderic, but they are now believed to come from an unknown imperial mint that began producing gold coins for the Eastern Roman emperors, starting with Leo.