Leontius (AD 695-698). AV solidus (19mm, 4.4 gm, 7h). Constantinople, 1st officina. D LЄO-N PЄ AV, facing bust of Leontius, bearded and wearing crown with cross on circlet and lozenge-pattern Loros, holding akakia in right hand and globus cruciger in left / VICTORIA AVςЧ, cross potent set upon three steps; B//CONOB. Sear 1330. DOC 1g.2. MIB 1. Rare. Slight edge clip, otherwise an exceptional example, sharply struck over whole surface.Very rare. Governor of the newly created Theme of Hellas in Greece, Leontius was proclaimed Emperor after the overthrow of Justinian II in AD 695. His first mistake was not executing his predecessor; instead he cut off Justinian's nose and banished him to the Crimea. With the Byzantines in turmoil, the Arabs went on the offensive in North Africa and captured Carthage in AD 698. The fleet Leontius sent to relieve the city instead rebelled and proclaimed its admiral Apsimar as Emperor. Leontius abdicated and was initially spared, but was murdered after Justinian II's return to power in AD 705. The coins of Leontius boast unusually realistic portraiture, portraying him as a portly man with a close-cropped beard.Rare.