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MEROVINGIANS, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. temp. Childeric I - Clovis I, late 5th-early 6th centuries AD. AR Argenteus Minutus (12mm, 0.26 g, 12h). Imitating an issue of Valentinian III. Colonia (Cologne) mint. VΛNIV ITAVC, diademed, cuirassed, and draped bust right / VИVI VИV, Roma seated left, holding small Victory in right hand and long cross in left; star to left, three pellets to right. Cf. J. Lafaurie, “Les dernières émissions impériales de Trèves au Ve siècle” in Mélanges Bastien, pl. 25, 3 and 16; MEC I pp. 90, 105, & 111-2; CNG 106, lot 915 (hammer $2200); Künker 236, lot 1321. Toned, deposits, wavy flan, edge splits, holed (as are most all related issues). Near EF. Extremely rare – only three examples on CoinArchives, this finer.
From the James A. Lock Collection.
The argentei minuti are the earliest silver coinage attributed to the Merovingian period. They are all copies of late 5th century Roman siliquae, with weights ranging from 0.40 to 0.20 grams, and are found primarily in the region between the Seine and Moselle rivers in northern Francia, with a particular focus around Cologne, the likely mint site for this and other contemporary pseudo-Imperial silver issues. Most examples have been found in graves, and were holed and worn on a necklace or bracelet, and, while some pieces bear good Latin legends, many are partially or completely degraded as on the present piece. Scholarly debate as to the exact role of these and other silver coins in Francia is ongoing, with disagreement as to whether they served a primarily ceremonial purpose, either as a donative or produced explicitly for grave goods, or they circulated more broadly in the economy. For further discussion, see J. Chameroy and P.-M. Guihard, eds, Argentum Romanorum sive Barbarorum : Tradition und Entwicklung im Gebrauch des Silbergeldes im römischen Westen (4.-6. Jh.) (Mainz, 2020).
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Four – Lot 889-1124 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 19 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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