Here is the second of four coins won from Heritage event...

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by panzerman, Sep 9, 2019.

  1. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    AV Solidus ND Bologne Mint
    20mm. 4.45g.
    Ostrogoths lf (4).jpg lf (5).jpg
    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
     
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  3. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    What a coincidence, I also just bought a Zeno....though mine was minted in the east by Zeno, and not in Italy like yours.

    89781q00.jpg
     
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    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.


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    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 conbis10.jpeg
     
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  6. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Magnificent example, Terance!
     
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  7. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    You gotta be the only person on this planet to wear such a great hat:happy:
     
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  8. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    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
     
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  9. Aleph

    Aleph Well-Known Member

    Theodoric was aligned and sanctioned by Constantinople. His successors were not and hence got invaded by belassarius for Justinian.
     
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  10. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    John, Another great score & great value :D! You've been making great additions this year :smuggrin:. 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 :smug:. Pictured below are 2 barbarian solidi of Zeno from my collection, both acquired from CNG.

    image00862.jpg
    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 :woot:!

    German Copy of Zeno solidus.jpg
    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 :rolleyes:. The reverse isn't nearly as bad :D.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Spectacular.
     
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  12. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Thanks, I paid dearly for this one but don't regret it :cool:.
     
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  13. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I know nothing about these. What separates fine style barbarous from the regular product?
     
  14. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Al, both of your examples are truly beautifull:) Congratulations!

    John
     
  15. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    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 :D. I bought it for the comparison & because it has a whimsical appearance o_O.
     
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  16. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Some great Zenos posted!

    My Zeno, I admit, rarely posted.

    [​IMG]
    Zeno (476 - 491 A.D.)
    Æ4
    O: Pearl-diademed, draped bust right.
    R: Monogram
    Constantinople mint
    14mm
    .89g
    Cf. RIC X 958
     
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