After the fall of the empire in the west, the Germanic tribe of the Ostrogoths attempted to keep the ancient Roman flame alive by preserving many of its institutions and its culture. This extended to their coinage. The obverse celebrates the personification of Roma, with the legend "Invicta Roma", meaning "Unconquerable Rome" (ironic considering the two sacks of the city, and the fall of the empire at Ravenna, all in the previous century). The reverse depicts the ancient legend of the she-wolf sucking Romulus and Remus, a scene familiar to many of us that collect ancients, especially Roman coins.
The coin has obviously seen better days, but for me its a welcome filler, as better examples of this rare post-Roman can run in the hundreds of dollars. My example is still quite a bit of change for me right now, so I have it reserved and will most likely be mine sometime next month.
Ostrogothic Kingdom in ItalyAE Follis (40 nummi)
Obv: INVICT-A ROMA, Roma helmeted, facing right
Rev: She-wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus, XL above, X dot X in ex
Rome mint (struck during Theodoric the Great's reign: 493-526 AD)
Ref: MIB 71b, BMC 30-31
(seller's photos)
