OSTROGOTHS. Municipal coinage of Rome. Circa 493-530. Æ 40 Nummi – Follis (26mm, 7.49 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa 493-518.

Electronic Auction 479
Lot: 291. Estimated: $ 150

Early Medieval & Islamic, Bronze

Sold For $ 450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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OSTROGOTHS. Municipal coinage of Rome. Circa 493-530. Æ 40 Nummi – Follis (26mm, 7.49 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa 493-518. INVIC TA ROMA, helmeted and draped bust of Roma right; XLII (re-tarrif mark) cut into obverse / Eagle standing left on ground line, head right, with wings folded; XL (value) to left. COI 76a = MIB 74b (same obv. die as illustration); cf. MEC 1, 102 (for obv.; same die). For re-tariff mark: cf. MEC 1, 66-91; Morisson, Re-use p. 95-111. Brown patina. Good Fine.

From the El Medina Collection.

This unusual coin requires a reassessment of the Ostrogoth re-tariffing of early Roman Imperial bronze issues. Morisson argues that these sestertii and asses/dupondii circulated in Italy, with their engraved values representing a 1/6 and 1/12 of a late Roman siliqua. She proposes that they were placed into circulation to supplement the limited issues of heavy copper folles struck at Carthage, later spreading to Italy after Justinian’s reconquest of Africa.

The present coin, with XLII engraved on a light weight Ostrogothic follis of Rome, bears an undertype over nearly 300 years younger than the rest of the series. This important piece suggests that the revaluaton took place at least in part in Italy, and either began or was still ongoing when the light weight folles were struck. The question of why a coin valued at 40 nummi would be so quickly revalued to 42 still requires explanation.

Closing Date and Time: 21 October 2020 at 11:36:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.