THE OSTROGOTHS
Athalaric, Theodahad and Witigis, 526-540
Pseudo-Imperial Coinage. In the name of Justinian I, 527-565 . Solidus, Ravenna or Roma circa 530-539, AV 4.44 g. DN IVSTINI – LNVS PG LVC (AV ligate) Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, three-quarters r., holding spear and decorated shield with horseman and fallen enemy motif. Rev. VICTOR – I – A AVCCC L Victory standing l., holding long jewelled cross; in l. field, star, and in exergue, COMOG. BMC Vandals –. Kraus –. MIB I, – cf. 28 (Roma). MEC I, – cf. 122 (Roma). Metlich – cf. 36 (Ravenna).
Extremely rare. Minor area of weakness on obverse, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Bourgey 27 October 1992, Kapamadji, 668 and Elsen sale 85, 2005, 571 sales.
Two other examples have appeared on the market which present identical characteristics and a rather crude style (ex Artemide 11, 1996, 244 and Leu 65, 1996, 556 sales). The helmet lacking ornament, the strings of the diadem, the exergual line which ends with a pellet at both ends, liken the coin to the type Metlich 36, but the substantial difference, other than the crude style, is COMOG instead of COMOB which could perhaps indicate a date in the same way as the solidi of Theoderic struck at Mediolanum.