Solidus in the name of Zeno With star to the right

Solidus in the name of Zeno (With star to the right) - obverseSolidus in the name of Zeno (With star to the right) - reverse

© Numismatica Genevensis SA

Features

Issuer Kingdom of Italy (Rome)
King Odovacar (476-493)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 480-491
Value 1 Solidus
Currency Solidus (476-493)
Composition Gold
Weight 4.18 g
Diameter 22 mm
Shape Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered
Orientation Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
151484
References RIC X# 3657,
John P. C. Kent, Robert A. G. Carson, Andrew Burnett; 1994. The Roman Imperial Coinage / Volume 10. The Divided Empire and the Fall of the Western Parts (AD 395–491). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
MEC I# 335,
Philip Grierson, Mark Blackburn; 2007. Medieval European Coinage 1 / The Early Middle Ages (5th-10th Centuries). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Boutin# 1000,
Serge Boutin; 1983. Monnaies des Empires de Byzance : Collection N. K.. A. G. van der Dussen, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Lacam# cl. II,
Guy Lacam; 1983. La fin de L'Empire romain et le monayage or en Italie. Hess , Lucerne, Switzerland.
Depeyr Arl# 92
Georges Depeyrot; 1996. Les émissions monétaires d'Arles : quatrième-cinquième siècles. Moneta, Wetteren, Belgium.

Obverse

Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust holding spear over shoulder, all surrounded by legend.

Script: Latin

Lettering: D N ZENO P ERPF AVG

Unabridged legend: Dominus Noster Zeno Perpetuus Augustus

Translation: Our Lord, Zeno, perpetual August.

Reverse

Winged Victory facing left while holding cross, all surrounded by legend.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VICTORI A AVCCC · A ·
COMOB

Unabridged legend:
Victoria Augustus
Constantinopolis

Translation:
Victory of the August.
Costantinople.

Mints

: Rome (ancient), Italy
A Rome (ancient), Italy
I Rome (ancient), Italy
N Ravenna, Italy
RV Ravenna, Italy
S Sassari, Sardinia, Italy
Γ Rome (ancient), Italy

Comments

Different letters/symbols appear at the end of the reverse legend. One theory says they indicate the year; however, the most supported theory suggests they are just officina letters.

1) D N ZENO - PERP AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC - COMOB
2) D N ZENO P - ERPF AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC : - COMOB
3) D N ZENO P - ERPF AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC · A · - COMOB
4) D N ZENO - PERP AVG / VICTORI-A AVCCC I - CONOB
5) D N ZENO - PERPF AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC N - CONOB
6) D N ZENO - PERPF AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC - CONOB RV
7) D N ZENO - PERP AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC S - CONOB
8) D N ZENO P - ERPF AVC / VICTORI - A AVCCC R - COMOB
9) D N ZENO P-ERP F AVG / VICTORI-A AVCCC G - COMOB

While basically every coin formats the end reverse mark the same, the one exception goes to the RV mark, which has the letters orientated the same way as the CONOB, making it appear like an extension of that mark.

A coin with the RV mark:


© Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG

While the coins with the Γ (G) and two dots are often attributed to Odovacar, the coins with the Γ and without the two dots are often attributed to Theoderic under the Ostrogoths. Even so, a coin has been found with the Γ mark using the same obverse die as coins stuck under Odovacar, meaning those coins are likely not Ostrogothic.

The coin with the Γ mark using the same obverse die as other Odovacar coins:


© Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (480-491) :
ND (480-491) A
ND (480-491) I
ND (480-491) N
ND (480-491) RV
ND (480-491) S
ND (480-491) Γ

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This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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