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                                Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2177. Closing Date: Sep 25, 
                                2002.  THE EMPIRE. LEO III and CONSTANTINE V. 
                                BID Estimate $500  

                              LEO III and CONSTANTINE V. 720-741. AV Tremissis 
                              (1.24 gm). Rome mint. dNLEO-PAMYL, crowned facing 
                              bust of Leo III, holding globus cruciger and 
                              akakia / DNOCONS-TANTIN, crowned facing young bust 
                              of Constantine V, holding cross potent; in field, 
                              star and G. DOC III 80; BMC 49; SB 1534. Well 
                              centered, VF. ($500)
                              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.





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Used by permission of Classical Numismatic Group, www.cngcoins.com.
Lot sold for  $550, plus buyers fees.