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coin
Object Type
coin
Museum number
1849,1121.685
Denomination
solidus
Description
Gold coin.
(whole)
Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Zeno facing, with spear and shield.
(obverse)
Victory standing left, holding long cross.
(reverse)
State
Associated with:
Odovacar's Kingdom of Italy
(?)
Europe: Odovacar's Kingdom of Italy
Associated with:
Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy
(?)
Europe: Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy
Authority
Issuer:
Odovacar, King of Italy
(?)
Issuer:
Theodoric I, King of the Ostrogoths
(?)
Cultures/periods
Germanic
Production date
477-491
Production place
Minted in:
Rome (city)
Materials
gold
Dimensions
Die-axis:
6 o'clock
Diameter:
22 millimetres
Weight:
4.400 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
Like the emission registered in the name of Julius Nepos (3205), this type is characterised by the obverse divided legend, P-ERP and the colon placed at the end of the reverse legend. The style of this coin is however rather crude and the star on the right field has several points and almost looks double-struck; the lettering and image are not as clearly defined as well drawn as with emissions 3205. There is also a clear separation in the word VICTOR-I-A, broken by the arm of the cross.
Bibliographic references
RIC10 / The Roman imperial coinage, vol. 10: The divided empire and the fall of the western parts, AD 395-491.
(3651)
Baldi 2014 / Ostrogothic Coins in the British Museum
(2.1)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
emperor/empress
allegory/personification
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Zeno
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Hon Sir Charles Augustus Murray
Previous owner
Previous owner/ex-collection:
Isma'il Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt
Acquisition date
1849
Department
Coins and Medals
Registration number
1849,1121.685