Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 1070. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $2400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOMBARDS. Aistulf. 749-756 AD. AE Follis (2 41 gm). Ravenna mint. Class II, dated Indictional year 6 (752/3 AD). [DN AIST]VL[F] PRN, bearded, 'uncrowned' draped bust of Aistulf facing (most of lower bust off the flan), holding in right hand a globe surmounted by a patriarchal (?) cross; hair parted frontally in the Lombard fashion, and apparently wearing a diadem surmounted by a cross / [DN AISTVLF] RX, crowned and bearded bust of Aistulf facing, wearing robes of state, holding a sceptre (although it has been described by some as a spear), possibly terminating in a cross (?): S in right field representing an indictional date letter (6 = AD 752/3).  Publication forthcoming--M.D. O'Hara, with I. Vecchi, "A Possible Honour for Aistulf, King of the Lombards (A.D.749-756): A New Follis with an Enigmatic Legend." VF for type, dark brown patina. Unique. ($4000)

This newly discovered coin type of Aistulf, struck in Ravenna in 752/3 AD, appears to present startling new historical and constitutional evidence on early medieval Italy. Aistulf may have proclaimed himself princeps after his conquest of Ravenna in 750/1 AD. Previously, the earliest attested numismatic use of this title was by Arichis II of Beneventum, who altered his title from dux to princeps after Charlemagne's overthrow of the Lombard kingdom in 774 AD.