Leo III "The Isaurian"

717-741

Leo III, founder of the Isaurian dynasty, became emperor in 717 and soon became unpopular in Italy by increasing taxes in Sicily and Calabria and initiating the Iconoclast Controversy, considered anathema in Italy. The origins of Leo's Iconoclasm are obscure; it had the support of high clerics in Asia Minor and had the effect of splitting the empire and destroying many irreplaceable works of art. As he referred to biblical prohibitions against images, hostile charges that he was influenced directly by Muslim or Jewish views seem to be unfounded. Reprinted from The Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

AU Solidus


SB 1502, DOC II 1 AU Solidus Obv: dNDLONPAMYLA - Facing bust, wearing crown with cross on circlet and chlamys, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGYA - Cross potent on base and three steps.


SB 1504, DOC II 7 AU Solidus Obv: NOLONPAMLI - Crowned facing bust of Leo, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: NCONSANINS - Crowned facing bust of Constantine, holding globus cruciger and akakia. c.737-741 (Constantinople). $680 5/22/02.


SB 1533, DO III 67 Solidus Obv: DNOLEOPAHVC - Leo III crowned bust facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: DNOCONTANTIN - Constantine V crowned bust facing, holding globus cruciger and akakia; ∈ in left field and in right field. c.721 (Rome).


SB 1537C, DOC III 60 Solidus Obv: DLEONP - Leo III crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger and akakia; Λ in right field.
Rev: DCONST - Constantine V crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger and akakia; K in right field. 737-741 (Naples).

AU Semissis


SB 1506, DOC III 11 AU Semissis Obv: Crowned facing bust of Leo, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: Crowned facing bust of Constantine, holding cross potent on globe. c.725-732 (Constantinopolis). $405 5/21/03

AU Tremissis


SB 1508, DOC III 18b AU Tremissis Obv: DNDLONPAML - Crowned bust, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: DNCONSANINS - Crowned bust of Constantine V, holding cross potent on base. c.737-741 (Constantinople).


SB 1522b AU Tremissis Obv: C•NSTALEON - Crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger.
Rev: Garbles legend Exe: S/CONOB - Cross potent on steps. (Sardinia). $1,250 5/21/03.


SB 1534, DOC III 80, BMC 49 AU Tremissis Obv: dNLEOPAMYL - Crowned facing bust of Leo III, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: DNOCONSTANTIN - Crowned facing young bust of Constantine V, holding cross potent; in field, star and Γ. (Rome).


SB 1540c, DOC III 48 AU Tremissis Obv: DNLEONPAMu - Crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: Constantine V facing bust, holding cross potent. 720-735.

AE Follis


SB 1516 AE Follis Obv: Leo III and Constantine V standing facing, each holding an akakia.
Rev: Large M Exe: A - Cross above, NNN to right and XXX to left. (Constantinopolis). $300 1/3/05.


SB 1529, DOC III 52 AE Follis Obv: Leo standing facing, holding spear and globus cruciger.
Rev: Large M Exe: SCL - Palms on either side of "M". (Syracuse). $135 4/1/01.


SB 1530, DOC III 54 AE Follis Obv: Crowned facing bust of Leo, holding globus cruciger.
Rev: Crowned facing bust of Constantine above bar, large M below. $205 5/21/03.


Unlisted AE Follis Obv: Crowned facing bust, holding globus cruciger and akakia.
Rev: Large M over θ Exe: RAV - Cross above, regnal date to right, ANNO to left. (Ravenna). $1,400 5/21/03.