★ THE OSTROGOTHS ★

OSTROGOTHS. Theoderic. As king of the Goths, 474/5-493, or ruler of Italy, 493-526. AV Tremissis (14mm, 1.48 g, 6h). In the name of Anastasius I. Rome mint. Struck 491-518. D N ΛNΛSTΛ SIVS P F ΛVC, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIΛ ΛVCVSTORVM, Victory advancing right on ground line with pellet at each end, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star to right; COMOB. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 25 ; COI 14; MIB 10; BMC Vandals 11; MEC 1, 115. Toned, traces of deposits in devices, hint of die rust. Good VF.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, ex D. Massey Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 108, 16 May 2018), lot 789; Varesi 52 (12 November 2008), lot 144..

‘Since Italy under the Ostrogoths was technically an imperial province and Theoderic, in particular, was careful to maintain an outward show of respect towards Constantinople, its gold coinage is ’imperial’ ... bearing the name and bust of the ruling emperor... It is also much more classical in style than that of the East: the Victory on the tremissis would not have disgraced the die-cutters of the late fourth century, thile that of the contemporary coins of Constantinople is little better than a caricature.’ Grierson, p. 10