PSEUDO-IMPERIAL COINAGE
Odovacar, 476-493
In the name of Zeno, 474-491 . Solidus, Roma 476-493, AV 4.43 g. DN ZENO P – ERP F AVC Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, three-quarters r., holding spear and decorated shield with horseman and fallen enemy motif. Rev. VICTOR – I – A AVCCC G Victory standing l., holding long jewelled cross; in r. field, star, and in exergue, COMOB. BMC Vandals –. Kraus 2. Lacam pl. 58, 77 (Theoderic). RIC 3654 (this coin illustrated). Kent pl. VIII, 18 (Theoderic). Metlich p. 11, fig. 3 (this coin illustrated).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Good extremely fine
Ex Schulman 19 January 1931, 715; Leu-NFA 16 October 1984, Garrett part II, 490, and M. Dürr - R. Michel 8 November 1999, Lacam, 238 sales.
Lacam has revolutionised the study of the coinage of this period and has ascribed this issue, with G at the end of the reverse legend, to Theoderic, striking at a mint in Roman Campania (see pl. 222, Classe II and pp. 929-930). However, it is important to note that this coin is struck from the same obverse die as a specimen which Lacam ascribes to Odovacar (pl. 194, 4 and p. 787). The reverse differs from ours by having G and COMOB in the exergue. If Lacam is correct in his organisation of the coinage of Odovacar and Theoderic, this die-link has important consequences for their internal chronologies.