Sale: CNG 82, Lot: 1107. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2009.  Sold For $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES. Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 6th century AD. AR Half Siliqua (0.80 g, 6h). In the name of Justinian I. Struck circa 527-565. [...] XVY TXVVKVVK, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Large Chi-Rho set on globe; five-rayed star on either side of base; all within wreath. Cf. MEC 1, 295-7 (Justinian I); Arslan -; cf. BMC Vandals 12 (Justinian I). Good VF, toned.

From the Giamba Collection.

This coin is a clear imitation of a Ravenna mint half siliqua of Justinian I. While the Lombards during this early period employed similar Ravenna mint half siliquas as a prototype (see lot 1138 above), they adhere to a generally faithful adaptation, including the legends. The complete mis-copying of the obverse legend suggests that this coin may have been struck by one of the more northern Germanic tribes in the upper Rhine-Danube region, who would have been familiar with the overall type, but less familiar with what the obverse legend meant.