Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Lombards, Desiderius AV Tremissis. Castelnovate, AD 757-774. +DN DESIDERIVS RXV (sic), cross potent / +FL•AVIA NOVATE, six-rayed star with small leaves between rays within circle. Bernareggi 166; Arslan 64/66. 1.03g, 18mm, 4h.
Mint State. Extremely Rare.
From the Alban Collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, 1 December 2012, lot 432.
The Lombards are descended, according to the Benedictine monk Paul the Deacon's account, from a Scandinavian tribe. Their name is allegedly from the reputable length of the beards they grew (Latinised as Langobardi; Longbeards). Gradually the Lombard people migrated down across Europe encountering other tribes such as the Vandals as they went. They are mentioned as early as AD 9 by Roman historian Velleius Paterculus and also by Strabo and Tacitus.
As a result of the highly destructive Gothic War from AD 535 to 554, Italy was left underpopulated and vulnerable. The Lombards crossed over into Northern Italy and established their rule there, making Ticinum (modern-day Pavia) the capital of the new state. Over the next two hundred years the Kingdom of the Lombards became increasingly Romanised, and by the 8th century, was partially Catholic. Coinage gradually developed from being mainly Byzantine imitations to their own style of independent gold and silver coins.
Desiderius was the last king of the Lombards, ruling from AD 756 to 774. He married his daughter off to Charlemagne, the King of the Franks. However their political relationship grew sour as disputes over the papacy resulted in Charlemagne besieging Desiderius at Pavia. Eventually the Lombards surrendered, and Desiderius was exiled to Corbie Abbey in France until he died in AD 786. Charlemagne proclaimed himself King of the Lombards and because of this and his other conquests he is known by some as the 'father of Europe', as he was the first to unite most of the Western Empire since the fall of Rome. The Lombards that were left continued to live on as lesser duchies in Southern Italy.
Mint State. Extremely Rare.
From the Alban Collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, 1 December 2012, lot 432.
The Lombards are descended, according to the Benedictine monk Paul the Deacon's account, from a Scandinavian tribe. Their name is allegedly from the reputable length of the beards they grew (Latinised as Langobardi; Longbeards). Gradually the Lombard people migrated down across Europe encountering other tribes such as the Vandals as they went. They are mentioned as early as AD 9 by Roman historian Velleius Paterculus and also by Strabo and Tacitus.
As a result of the highly destructive Gothic War from AD 535 to 554, Italy was left underpopulated and vulnerable. The Lombards crossed over into Northern Italy and established their rule there, making Ticinum (modern-day Pavia) the capital of the new state. Over the next two hundred years the Kingdom of the Lombards became increasingly Romanised, and by the 8th century, was partially Catholic. Coinage gradually developed from being mainly Byzantine imitations to their own style of independent gold and silver coins.
Desiderius was the last king of the Lombards, ruling from AD 756 to 774. He married his daughter off to Charlemagne, the King of the Franks. However their political relationship grew sour as disputes over the papacy resulted in Charlemagne besieging Desiderius at Pavia. Eventually the Lombards surrendered, and Desiderius was exiled to Corbie Abbey in France until he died in AD 786. Charlemagne proclaimed himself King of the Lombards and because of this and his other conquests he is known by some as the 'father of Europe', as he was the first to unite most of the Western Empire since the fall of Rome. The Lombards that were left continued to live on as lesser duchies in Southern Italy.