AV Solidus ND Bologne Mint 20mm. 4.45g. Ostrogoths struck under Theodorich I 493-526AD/ in name of Emperor Zeno DN ZENO-PERP AVG Pearl diademed/cuirassed/ helmeted bust facing/ spear slung over should/ horse motif shield VICTORI-A AVGG H Victoria standing with jeweled cross CONOR in exergue MS 5/5 5/5
What a coincidence, I also just bought a Zeno....though mine was minted in the east by Zeno, and not in Italy like yours.
My Zeno solidus had something yours doesn't have, @panzerman! Like a little bit of circulation wear. And a hole. And, interestingly, an Eliasberg pedigree. I used to wear it as the centerpiece of my once-famous Holey Gold Hat. Zeno (emperor of the East, A.D. 476-491). AV Solidus. Thessalonica, A.D. 476 or later. Pedigreed to the famous Louis E. Eliasberg Collection. RIC 941. Metcalf 223. Choice VF. 4.27 grams, 20.40 mm. Obv Helmeted, cuirassed bust three-quarters facing of Zeno, holding spear and decorated shield. Rev Victory standing l., holding long cross, two stars in field. A scarcer issue. Scratched in right obverse field and holed, otherwise Choice VF.
My only late Roman gold Solidus of Constantius II Antioch. Obv Bust of Constantius helmeted and hold shield facing slightly to right. Rv. Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned supporting a shield between them RIC 168 355-361 A.D. 4.38 grms 22 mm
Before I head off to do more lawn cutting... That coin was issued by the Ostrogoths, they did a rather good job for unruly barbarians. The coin is not crude, but high in minting techique. I would have put my name (Theodorich) on it, rather then the enemy Eastern Emperor residing in Constantinople John
Theodoric was aligned and sanctioned by Constantinople. His successors were not and hence got invaded by belassarius for Justinian.
John, Another great score & great value ! You've been making great additions this year . I've taken a great interest in Germanic barbarian coinage of the 5th & 6th centuries over the last 5 years & managed to make some nice scores too . Pictured below are 2 barbarian solidi of Zeno from my collection, both acquired from CNG. Zeno, 2nd reign, AD 476-491, AV solidus: 4.47 gm, 21 mm, 6 h. Ostrogothic. This coin has seen many auction appearances, the 1st one I'm aware of was NFA, April 1, 1987. The art work on this coin is impressive especially on the reverse. This coin, as in your example, shows these barbarians had some very skilled celators ! Zeno, Pseudo-Imperial coinage, late 5th - early 6th century, Germanic Barbarian, AV solidus: 4.48 gm, 20 mm, 6 h. The poor fellow who labored on the obverse die really struggled with the portrait . The reverse isn't nearly as bad .
Doug, I would say John's recent Zeno solidus along with the top example I posted are the finest style you'll see in barbarous coinage of that period. John's example shows obvious die deterioration, however, style wise it is top tier. Both of these coins could have circulated with Constantinople Mint products, in fact they are superior to many official mint products I've seen ! The 2nd coin I posted is by no means the bottom tier stylistically of barbarous coinage, but it's close . I bought it for the comparison & because it has a whimsical appearance .
Some great Zenos posted! My Zeno, I admit, rarely posted. Zeno (476 - 491 A.D.) Æ4 O: Pearl-diademed, draped bust right. R: Monogram Constantinople mint 14mm .89g Cf. RIC X 958