OSTROGOTHS. Theodahad. 534-536. Æ 40 Nummi – Follis (26mm, 9.50 g, 6h). Rome mint, 3rd officina.

Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part I
Lot: 994. Estimated: $ 1 000

Early Medieval, Bronze

Sold For $ 1 200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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OSTROGOTHS. Theodahad. 534-536. Æ 40 Nummi – Follis (26mm, 9.50 g, 6h). Rome mint, 3rd officina. D N THEOD ΛHΛTVS REX, helmeted and mantled bust right / VICTORIΛ PRIИCIPV, S C across field, Victory standing right on prow of galley, holding wreath in outstretched right and palm frond over shoulder in left. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 28; COI 89b, dies D2/L37 (this coin cited and illustrated); Kraus 36-37; MIB 81; MEC 1, 141. Dark green patina, minor smoothing and roughness, light cleaning marks, edge flaw. VF. Rare.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Andy Singer, January 2003. Ex Baldwin’s Selection of Byzantine Coins FPL 25 (September 1997), no. 4; Vecchi 5 (5 March 1997), lot 1100.

Whereas Theoderic was scrupulous in maintaining a show of deference to Constantinople in his coinage - see lot XXX above - Theodahad brazenly introduced his own portrait to the coinage. As Grierson, p. 11, says ‘these folles are the most impressive coins issued by any Germanic ruler of the fifth or sixth centuries.’

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Three – Roman Imperial Coinage Part II through World Coinage Part II will be held Wednesday morning, 15 January 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.