Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Visigothic Kingdom, Egica and Wittiza AV Tremissis. Laure, Gallaecia, AD 694-702. + NNDNECICAP+RECS, confronted busts of Egica and Wittiza with a cross-sceptre between / + VVITTIZAR+RECE, cross monogram of L-A-V-R with E on central horizontal bar, the whole surrounded by four pellets. Cf. CNV 575 (no pellets) and CNV 580.31 (this coin, monogram misread); Miles –; MEC I, –. 1.37g, 20mm, 9h.
Extremely Fine. Unique, and highly interesting.
Egica was anointed in 687 and immediately adopted a policy of consolidation of his family's grip on the kingdom, necessary after the discovery of several plots to depose him. His reign represented one of the most turbulent eras of the Visigothic monarchy, characterised by struggles between noble factions, famine, plagues and further persecutions of Jews. As early as 694 Egica raised Wittiza, his son by his consort Cilixo (daughter of his predecessor), to the kingship as co-ruler even though he was still a minor, and gave him control of Gallaecia in the north-eastern portion of the peninsula. It was at this point that a new Visigothic coin type was introduced with the confronted profile busts of the kings either side of a cross-sceptre.
The site of Laure in Gallaecia has been identified with Laubis, a parish in the Diocese of Braga in modern Portugal, see CNV p. 192.
Extremely Fine. Unique, and highly interesting.
Egica was anointed in 687 and immediately adopted a policy of consolidation of his family's grip on the kingdom, necessary after the discovery of several plots to depose him. His reign represented one of the most turbulent eras of the Visigothic monarchy, characterised by struggles between noble factions, famine, plagues and further persecutions of Jews. As early as 694 Egica raised Wittiza, his son by his consort Cilixo (daughter of his predecessor), to the kingship as co-ruler even though he was still a minor, and gave him control of Gallaecia in the north-eastern portion of the peninsula. It was at this point that a new Visigothic coin type was introduced with the confronted profile busts of the kings either side of a cross-sceptre.
The site of Laure in Gallaecia has been identified with Laubis, a parish in the Diocese of Braga in modern Portugal, see CNV p. 192.