Re attributing my recent "Theodoric"

Hi guys!

A few weeks ago I made a thread showing an updating of one coin of my collection:
Upgrading my Theodoric nummus

A couple days before I realize that I made a mistake attributing this coin to Ostrogothic King Theodoric, I was cheking coins in Morello, and sudenly (with minimum variation) see my coin:



At this moment I realize that my coin is not a Theodoric but Odovacar at name of Zeno.

Effectively, in the obverse I can read the last part of Zeno's name and the monogram is similar but in my coin S is retrograde.



Odoacer, 476-491 AD
Struck in the name of Zeno, ca 480-490 AD
Nummus, mint of Rome
Obv.: [DN ZE] NO AG, bust of Zeno right.
Rev.: Odoacer monogram, with S retrograde.
RIC X ---; Morello 21/2 var.

I found in the web other similar exemplars:

Next is from ancients.info gallery, from user 425galba:

In this coin, can be read [...]ZE NO[...]

And next from Edgar Lowen page (edgarlowen.com):

Both coins have retrograde S

 

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Thanks for reminding me that I still really want him for my collection . Odoacer is my Holy Grail coin.

 

Thanks @ValiantKnight for comment!
Even though this monogram is similar to that of Theodoric, I realize that mine not has the transversal line that is present in all Theodoric monograms, like in this one:

 

It just keeps getting better....

 

Love it when the coin ends up being better than you thought.

 

Absolutelly! My coin became from very scarce coin into a very rare!

 

Hi, this is a great coin.

However, I think that the coin should not be attibuted to Odovacar. I think it was more likely minted under Theoderic in AD 490/91.

Firstly, Mettlich (p. 13) shows that Theoderic minted coins in the name of Zeno in 490/91.
Secondly, the monogram is better attributed to Theoderic, with the crossbar extended only under the R, but not to the D. The normal (most common) Theoderic monogram has the crossbar extended from R to D, but there are varieties with the cross bar only extended to the D, but not under the R and there are varieties with the crossbar only extended under the R, but not extended to the D (like on your coin).

The Odovacar monogram consists only of the letters O D V A (no R and no S), with the O typically above the monogram. If the monogram on your coin was that of Odovacar, that meant that Odovacar used two completely different monograms on his coins, which in itself is quite unusual.

Best
Dirk

 

Welcome @Tejas

 

What a spectacular thread. These little coins are tremendously interesting. I get super excited even to find a Marcian.

 

True, these little coins are very interesting and they provide the opportunity for real discoveries. Marcian nummi are quite common, but rare in really good condition.
Best
Dirk

 

Welcome Dirk!
Thank you very much for your comment!
I ask for a friend (@KIWITI) that has Mettlich book, in order to update my info, sometimes is hard to attribute this little nummus. As you said, It looks similar to a Theodoric nummus rather than Odovacar one.
If you like this nummi there is another post with interesting coin:
Strange late roman monogram? or imitative coin?

 

I'm into this thread to. I've been starting to pay more attention to tiny, seemingly-junky coins lately (not that the coins in this thread are junky, just that there are finds to be made amongst those sorts).

 

Here is an interesting nummus from by collection. Its a nummus in the name of Zeno. The revers shows the nomogram of Gundobad. The coin dates to 472/74 when Gundobad was magister militum. Gundobad was the son of the Burgundian king Gundowech. After Gundowech's death Gundobad became king of the Burgundians until his death in 516.

Best
Dirk

 

Very nice, I am green with envy, closest I have is the usual Ricimer monogram:

Libius Severus, Western Roman Empire
AE nummus
Obv: D N LIBIVS SEVERVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped bust right
Rev: Monogram of Ricimer within wreath
Mint: Rome
Date: 461-467 AD (Libius Severus reigned 461-465 AD)
Ref: RIC X 2715

 

Hmm "...the usual Ricimer monogram"? Ricimer is very rare and very desirable. Here is my Ricimer.

 

Oh I know. I was only joking about how Ricimer is not as rare as Gundobad.

 

If you think a Gundobad-nummus is rare, here is something ultra-rare. This is a Gundobad-Quarter-Siliqua from his time as king of the Burgundians. The coin was minted in Lyon. I'm the lucky owner.

Best
Dirk

 

Wow!! very nice coin! I cant get one yet, Its very very rare coin.
Today I think that my highest rarity is this Priscus Attalus coin. It is in low grade but identifiable:



Priscus Attalus
409-410 AD
Æ 3, mint of Rome, 4th off.
Obv.: PRISCVS ATTALUS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed bust r.
Rev.: VICTORIA ROMANORVM, Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm, in upper left field, star, in fields OF Q (retrograde), in exerge SMVRM
RIC #1415

 

WOW!!!

HOW do you get one of this??

How did you get it?? it is so sharp too!

Just amazed...

 

I never see one like this before!!