Zeno AV Solidus, struck by Theoderic or Odovacar.
Gold, 4.23 grams; 20.29 mm. Mint in N. Italy. 474-493 AD. 

Obv: D N ZENO-F PERP AVG, pearl-diademed & cuirassed bust facing slightly right, wearing high-crested helmet, holding spear over shoulder & shield decorated with a rider spearing a fallen enemy, on left arm
Rev: VICTOR-I-A AVGGG I (officina), Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field; mintmark CONOB (B ligate) in ex. 

Ref. COI p. 11, 3 (Odovacar); Lacam Class II, 70ff; RIC X pp. 215-216.

This obverse legend is unrecorded and would normally be D N ZENO PERP F AVG. 
The semi-literacy of some letters on the obverse and reverse, and the ligate B in the mintmark suggest that this is a coin struck by one of the two Ostrogoth kings.

At the start of Zeno's second reign, Odovacar struck coins in Italy in Zeno's name. 
Metlich suggests that the western solidi in Zeno's name were probably issued by Odovacar at Rome, but notes the possibility of some also being struck by Theoderic. 
John Kent, in RIC X, believed that they were struck by both Odovacar and Theoderic, the distinction being impossible in most cases. 
As is the case of this coin, Lacam notes that the slender portrait, high crest and the form of the cross on the reverse are characteristics of northern mints under Theoderic. 
It is possible that this coin was struck by Theoderic at a mint near Rome while campaigning against Odovacar, 488-493 AD

Contributed by Dane for TimeLine Originals