The Merovingians. Gundowald usurper, 581/2-585.
Solidus of 21 siliquae, in the name of Tiberius II Constantine, Marseilles circa 581-582, AV 3.90 g. DN TIb CONS TANT PP ΛVC Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing, holding spear in r. hand over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif on l. arm. Rev. VICTORI – A ACCA Cross potent set on step set on globe; in field, M – A* / XXI. In exergue, CONOB. Belfort –. Prou –. MEC 1 –. cf. for type, Rigold 6 (attributed to Arelate). cf. Alde/Crinon, sale 14 June 2010, 220. (these dies). cf. Triton sale XIX, 2016, Adams, 2202 (these dies). Of the highest rarity, only three specimen known. Struck on a very large flan and extremely fine

Graded MS Strike 4/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6030744-014.

By the end of the sixth century AD, the bonds between the Byzantine Empire and southern Gaul were being re-established after a long period of separation. This renewed relationship was marked by the introduction of Merovingian pseudo-imperial coinage during the final years of the reign of Justin II (574-578). At first these coins were struck on a limited scale and under the control of the king. By 580, however, this control broke down, and soon some mints began striking issues of clearly inferior style and often with illiterate legends. During those years, Gundowald, a Merovingian usurper king, rose to power. The only source to mention Gundowald is Gregory of Tours, who wrote about him in his Histories. According to Gregory, Gundowald claimed to be an illegitimate son of Chlothar and with the support of the Byzantine emperor, Maurice Tiberius, took control of most of the cities in Southern Gaul. Gundowald fought against Guntram, the legitimate son of king Chlothar, and lost during the siege of Comminges (now Saint-Bertrand-de Comminges) and soon after was executed. The pseudo-imperial coins struck under Tiberius's name are exceedingly rare. Rigold in his work 'Imperial coinage in Southern Gaul' describes only two known pseudo-imperial coins with Tiberius's name. One is the earliest recorded solidus and the only one of Arles before the end of Maurice's reign. The style of it is fine, far from a barbaric imitation; the obverse type is the classical three-quarter bust and the reverse inscription shows VICTORIA AVGG, an abbreviation of AVGVSTORVM, a distinction also found on regular Byzantine coins. The other coin is a tremissis, also struck under Tiberius' reign. The solidus was unpublished until 2010 when another specimen appeared on the market. The solidus bears the Roman figures XXI. This is an exact indication of its content: twenty-one siliquae to the solidus (about 3.86 gr.), seven-eighths of the normal Byzantine solidus of twenty-four siliquae (about 4.45 gr.). The obverse type, in astonishing style, is the usual three-quarter armed figure with spear and decorated shield. On the reverse, we notice the cross potent on globe, the same as the specimen described by Rigold, but unlike the Rigold coin we have in the field the mint mark: M-A (Marseilles). During Gundowald's "reign" Marseilles was the most active of the Gallic mints, as well as the only one to continue proclaiming loyalty to the Byzantine emperor, as well as remaining under his control. It is clear that this coin shows the resurgence of the Byzantine contact with the area, however with attempts at separation. Indeed, during Heraclius' years, the Merovingian kings extended their authority over southern Gaul taking control of Marseilles and its mint and began striking issues in their own names.