ZENO the Isaurian (474-491 AD), AV solidus, Victory, ex-Eliasberg, struck after 476 AD

Obverse- D N ZENO PERP AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman spearing a fallen enemy.
Reverse- VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long cross, two stars in field, CONOB in exergue.
Ex- Stack's auction of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, 4/15/2005, Lot 24.
Original description: "Zeno (emperor of the East, A.D. 476-491). AV Solidus. Thessalonica, A.D. 476 or later. CHOICE VF / RIC 941. Metcalf 223. Choice VF. 4.27 grams, 20.40 mm. Obv Helmeted, cuirassed bust three-quarters facing of Zeno, holding spear and decorated shield. Rev Victory standing l., holding long cross, two stars in field. A scarcer issue. Scratched in right obverse field and holed, otherwise Choice VF. ($80-130)."
(Price realized: $310.50.)
Comments: (Thessalonica? I thought CONOB meant Constantinople?) This has long been a sentimental favorite of mine, and is likely to remain my only ancient gold for a while. The famous pedigree doesn't hurt, either, though this was probably a "junkbox" item for Eliasberg (haha). I don't mind the hole a bit, as I have a large collection of holed coins. This piece does not reside with my regular Roman collection but is the centerpiece of my trademark "Holey Gold Hat", which I wear to shows.