Watch List notes:

THE OSTROGOTHS
Hildebard, 540-541

Pseudo-Imperial Coinage. In the name of Justinian I, 527-565. Quarter siliqua, Roma 540-541, AR 0.34 g. D IVIV - IVI PP AVI Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r.,. Rev. Monogram; in field above, cross. All within wreath. BMC Vandals –. Kraus –. MIB N59. Giannoccaro-Orlandoni, QT VII 1978, p. 261 (this coin). Arslan AR24 (this coin). MEC I, –. Metlich p. 45, fig. 25 (this coin).
Of the highest rarity, apparently the only specimen known. An issue of tremendous
importance and fascination. Wonderful old cabinet tone and good extremely fine


Hildebard's history is almost unknown. Little information is provided by Procopius of Cesarea, who directly witnessed events. When Belisarius occupied Ravenna and killed Witigis, the Ostrogoths raised Hildebard as king. After the departure of the Byzantines for Constantinople, the new king could obtain some victories but all ended with his death. His coinage was still unknown but this specimen is assigned to Hildebard for the monogram on reverse which is close to one described by Sambon (p. 12, n. 17) and CNI (Roma, n. 1). Metlich is indeed of a different opinion and he prefers to assign it to Alboin or another Lombard duke (pp. 44-45).