Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 70 7 May 2020
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Justinian I AV Solidus. Rome, AD 537-565. D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger in right hand, shield over left shoulder / VICTORIA AVGGG Z, angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram and globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. Sear 291; MIB 34; DOC 320 (this officina not listed). 4.41g, 20mm, 6h.
Extremely Fine. Rare.
Acquired from Nomos AG;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, Auction 2018, 16 November 2018, lot 420.
Desirous of re-establishing the full extent of the Roman Empire, the Emperor Justinian appointed Belisarius to begin the reconquering of those areas under the control of the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. Belisarius, despite having extremely limited forces and means at his disposal, successfully retook North Africa, Sicily and Naples for the Empire. As Belisarius then marched north towards Rome, the Ostrogoths left the city, having understood that the citizens of the city decisively supported Belisarius. The celebrations following Belisarius' historic entry into the ancient capital of the Roman Empire were short-lived; the Ostrogothic army under their king Vitiges soon laid siege to the city defended now by the greatly outnumbered men of Belisarius' expeditionary force. The siege lasted in all for a year and nine days (from 2 March 537 - 12 March 538). The Ostrogoths eventually abandoned the siege in order to defend Ravenna against John, Belisarius' subordinate general who by capturing Ariminum with a detachment of two thousand men posed a grave threat to the Ostrogoth capital which was barely a day's march away.
Extremely Fine. Rare.
Acquired from Nomos AG;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, Auction 2018, 16 November 2018, lot 420.
Desirous of re-establishing the full extent of the Roman Empire, the Emperor Justinian appointed Belisarius to begin the reconquering of those areas under the control of the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. Belisarius, despite having extremely limited forces and means at his disposal, successfully retook North Africa, Sicily and Naples for the Empire. As Belisarius then marched north towards Rome, the Ostrogoths left the city, having understood that the citizens of the city decisively supported Belisarius. The celebrations following Belisarius' historic entry into the ancient capital of the Roman Empire were short-lived; the Ostrogothic army under their king Vitiges soon laid siege to the city defended now by the greatly outnumbered men of Belisarius' expeditionary force. The siege lasted in all for a year and nine days (from 2 March 537 - 12 March 538). The Ostrogoths eventually abandoned the siege in order to defend Ravenna against John, Belisarius' subordinate general who by capturing Ariminum with a detachment of two thousand men posed a grave threat to the Ostrogoth capital which was barely a day's march away.