OBVERSE:
Bust of the emperor three-quarters right, wearing helmet with plume, trefoil ornament and diadem, the ties of which show to the left, tunic and cuirass; with his right hand he holds a spear behind head; on his left shoulder, a shield with the device of a horseman. Legend: D N ANASTA / SIVS PP AVG, which reads ‘Dominus Noster Anastasius Perpetuus Augustus’, meaning ‘Our lord Anastasius, perpetual Augustus’.
REVERSE:
Winged Victory standing left, holding a long cross with her right hand; in the right field a star; in the exergue CONOB. Legend: VICTORI / [A A]VGGG and officina letter I, which reads ‘Victoria Augustorum’, meaning the ‘Victory of Augusti [of the emperor]’; the letter I at the end of the legend denotes the individual mint’s workshop [officina]. The letters CONOB in the exergue stand for the mint of Constantinople [CON] and the OB for obryzum, meaning fine gold. OB also corresponds to the abbreviated Greek number 72, that is, 1/72 of a Roman libra (about 324 g).
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