THE OSTROGOTHS
Athalaric, Theodahad and Witigis, 526-540
Pseudo-Imperial Coinage. In the name of Justinian I, 527-565 . Solidus, Ravenna or Roma circa 530-539, AV 4.42 g. DN IVSTINI – LNVS PG LVC (AV ligate) 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 AŸ Victory standing l., holding long jewelled cross; in l. field, star, and in exergue, COMOB. BMC Vandals 4 (Ravenna). Kraus 4 (Ravenna). MIB I, 28 var. (Roma, no dot before officina). MEC I, 122 var. (Roma, no dot before officina). Metlich 36b2 (this coin, Ravenna).
Very rare. Extremely fine
Ex M&M 43, 1970, 540, and M. Dürr - R. Michel 8 November 1999, Lacam, 269 sales.
Metlich assigns this coin to the period of Athalaric-Witigis and to the mint of Ravenna based on the portrait style, with rectangular visor, short and almost horizontal diadem strings, helmet without trilobe ornament and the exergual line on the reverse with dots extremities.