CNG 100, Lot: 391. Estimate $750. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOMBARDS, Lombardy & Tuscany. Cunincpert. 688-700. AV Tremissis (22mm, 1.20 g, 6h). D N RЄX PIЄPII, stylized, diademed bust right; N before, RX on chest / +D N CVNINCPЄRT RЄX ΓI, Victory advancing right, head left, holding wreath and globus. Bernareggi 12 corr. (obv. legend; this coin, unillustrated); BMC Vandals –; MEC 1, –. VF, edge clipped, severe flan crack. Extremely rare and possibly unique.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex John Work Garrett Collection (Part II, Leu/Numismatic Fine Arts, 16 October 1984), lot 546; Baranowsky (23 June 1931), lot 60.

This coin features a highly enigmatic obverse legend which defies explanation (the “P” and “I” at the beginning of “PIЄPII” seem reasonably clear but are open to interpretation). It is possibly the earliest issue in the name of Cunincpert, which was followed by coinage with the ruler’s name on both obverse and reverse (cf. Arslan 31-33).

Commenting on the bizarre obverse legend in a letter to Dr. Adams, Philip Grierson wrote “...one would expect either LANGOBARDVM or some epithet like perpetuus, Dei Gratia, iustus, pius (I do not think a provincial or place name is possible). But there is nothing obvious, unless PREPET for PERPET.”