Rare Visigothic Imitation of Valentinian III Solidus

430, Lot: 445. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

VISIGOTHS, Gaul. Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 5th century AD or slightly later. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.43 g, 5h). Imitating a Ravenna mint solidus struck in the name of Valentinian III. Uncertain mint. D N PLA VALENTI NIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; above bust, pellet-in-crescent / VICTORI A AVGGG, Valentinian standing facing, holding long cross in right hand and Victory on globe in left, foot on head of human-headed coiled serpent; R-V//COMOB. Cf. RIC X 3712 (for obv., but without pellet-in-crescent); Depeyrot, Solidi 7; Depeyrot –; Ranieri 97 corr. (listed as official mint issue); DOCLR –; Biaggi –; cf. MEC 1, –; Triton XVIII, lot 1357 (same obv. die); Marc Poncin Collection (CNG 72, 14 June 2006), lot 2232 (example with “M” graffito in obverse field). Near EF, lustrous. Rare.