Bermondsey Coins
Byzantine, Leo IV "the Khazar" and Constantine VI, gold solidus, c. 775-80 AD
Byzantine, Leo IV "the Khazar" and Constantine VI, gold solidus, c. 775-80 AD
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Byzantine, Leo IV "the Khazar" and Constantine VI, gold solidus, c. 775-80 AD. The two emperors enthroned, facing/busts of Constantine V and Leo III facing. 4.41 g.
Leo IV was born in the purple, the child of a Khazar princess, who was baptized Irene, hence his nickname. As the Khazar elite are believed to have converted to Judaism before the year 740, it is possible that Leo IV was Jewish under halakah, although both he and his mother were practicing Christians.
EF+, lustrous, weakly struck in parts but much as made. Scarce and with a good provenance.
Sear 1584
From the collection of an ambassador, formed c. 1950-70.
