Gold Solidus - Ancient Rome, c. 457-474 AD. Emperor: Leo I.
Obv: Cuirassed and helmeted bust of Leo, facing, ''DN LEO PERPET AVG''.
Rev: Winged Victory standing left holding long cross.
(Sear 4233) (20mm, 4.40 gm)
Leo I (401 AD – 18 January 474 AD) was Byzantine Emperor from 457 to 474. A native of Dacia Aureliana near historic Thrace, he was known as Leo the Thracian. Ruling the Eastern Empire for nearly 20 years, Leo proved to be a capable ruler.
He oversaw many ambitious political and military plans, aimed mostly for the aid of the faltering Western Roman Empire and recovering its former territories. He is notable for being the first Eastern Emperor to legislate in Greek rather than Latin. He is commemorated as a Saint in the Orthodox Church, with his feast day on January 20.
