Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Leovigild, circa 569 – 586.
Tremissis circa 569-586, AV 1.474 g. (SG 18.45, Au 95 %) INVZTI/IIIAVA Pearl-diademed and draped bust r., with cross on chest. Rev. VICTVA/ITORVAy Victory advancing r., holding wreath in r. hand and palm branch on l. shoulder. In exergue, COIIO. Tomasini group JII5. Miles –. CNV –. MEC I, 205 var. MV –. Yoon & Bartlett 6. Type I.
Very rare. Good very fine / about extremely fine
Ex Vico sale 141, 2015, 167.
Tomasini JII-5 is a very coherent group with distinctive styles in obverse and reverse that suggest the work of an important mint during the transition period. The name of Justin on the obverse and the unique form of the R on the reverse with the legend VI[C retrograde]TVΛ ITO[R retrograde]VΛ and the O with a dot or cross bar in the centre, as well as similar variations in legends, easily identifies this type which is die-linked to coins of similar style with the clear name of Leovigild in the reverse. There are two types of obverses; one with an inverted triangle above the pectoral cross and one with a Λ like symbol with curved lines above the pectoral cross. The later obverse form is also found in coins with the name of Leovigild in the reverse resulting in three types, I, II and III. Grierson's MEC 209 is of the third type and he suggested Toledo as the mint. However, as the CVRRV C-3 and IR are widely considered as being from Toledo, including in MEC, and there are none of the three types in the 90 coins of the Zorita Hoard of Reccopolis just upstream on the Tajo from Toledo, it cannot be from Toleto. A significant coinage like the JII-5 (nearly 100 extant coins) it more likely came from a major mint further to the South or West such as Seville or Merida. A find spot and a few coins in collections from Seville as well as the nearly identical styles of Ruth Pliego's Type 3 copper coins (Crusafont Grupo V)-commonly found and believed to have been minted in Seville in the same time frame-strongly suggest that Seville was the mint for the JII-5 coinage.
Tremissis circa 569-586, AV 1.474 g. (SG 18.45, Au 95 %) INVZTI/IIIAVA Pearl-diademed and draped bust r., with cross on chest. Rev. VICTVA/ITORVAy Victory advancing r., holding wreath in r. hand and palm branch on l. shoulder. In exergue, COIIO. Tomasini group JII5. Miles –. CNV –. MEC I, 205 var. MV –. Yoon & Bartlett 6. Type I.
Very rare. Good very fine / about extremely fine
Ex Vico sale 141, 2015, 167.
Tomasini JII-5 is a very coherent group with distinctive styles in obverse and reverse that suggest the work of an important mint during the transition period. The name of Justin on the obverse and the unique form of the R on the reverse with the legend VI[C retrograde]TVΛ ITO[R retrograde]VΛ and the O with a dot or cross bar in the centre, as well as similar variations in legends, easily identifies this type which is die-linked to coins of similar style with the clear name of Leovigild in the reverse. There are two types of obverses; one with an inverted triangle above the pectoral cross and one with a Λ like symbol with curved lines above the pectoral cross. The later obverse form is also found in coins with the name of Leovigild in the reverse resulting in three types, I, II and III. Grierson's MEC 209 is of the third type and he suggested Toledo as the mint. However, as the CVRRV C-3 and IR are widely considered as being from Toledo, including in MEC, and there are none of the three types in the 90 coins of the Zorita Hoard of Reccopolis just upstream on the Tajo from Toledo, it cannot be from Toleto. A significant coinage like the JII-5 (nearly 100 extant coins) it more likely came from a major mint further to the South or West such as Seville or Merida. A find spot and a few coins in collections from Seville as well as the nearly identical styles of Ruth Pliego's Type 3 copper coins (Crusafont Grupo V)-commonly found and believed to have been minted in Seville in the same time frame-strongly suggest that Seville was the mint for the JII-5 coinage.