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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,621 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
After the Byzantine-started Gothic War ravaged Italy and wiped out the Ostrogothic Kingdom, the Byzantines made the previously Roman and Ostrogothic capital Ravenna (captured in 540 AD) the main seat of their administration on the peninsula, which was now wholly in their hands (a situation that was to change very soon afterwards with the arrival of a less-than-civilized tribe, the Lombards). It didn't take the Byzantines very long after their conquest to start to strike their own Italian-mint coins. My latest acquisition is a Justinian I decanummium (10 nummi) struck in Ravenna in regnal year 37 (564AD, the second-to-last year of Justinian's long reign, which saw the near-restoration of the western part of the old Roman Empire). This coin was one of many reminders to the populace that the Romans had taken back the homeland and former heart of their empire. Justinian I, AE decanummium (struck 564 AD) Obv: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield Rev: Large I, ANNO (year) in left field, XXXVII (37) in three lines in right field, Ravenna mint SB 326, 15 mm  (seller's photo) Byzantine Empire at it's largest extent, during Justinian I's reign (Wikipedia):  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Nice coin and I really appreciate the history and additional info!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
I like this one very much ! I recall a Prof. oh so long ago stating flatly that Justinian didn't do the Italians any favor by retaking the "homeland". The armies of Belisarius ravaged the cities they 'retook' and the whole adventure far from restoring the Empire helped push the City of Rome into the abyss...... And bankrupted Constantinople.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice coin with excellent details.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
The empire struggling through the 5th and 6th centuries is such an interesting period! Ill have to look out for one of these issues. If only I was rich...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Great coin! I would say its worth at least "one iota."
FR- it seriously took centuries for the Italian peninsula to recover from the Barbarian/Byzantine campaign. With Europe depopulated, the fate of the empire was sealed, and the chapter of Roman domination came to close with a whisper.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Chrismat- if you were rich you'd be dangerous, and there would be no coins for the rest of us. I could see you buying ancient coins by the TALENT!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4778 Posts |
The Gothic War of 535-554 AD began with initial quick success for the Byzantines but then bogged down to a long, destructive struggle between them and the reorganized Ostrogothic forces. The war itself would prove more damaging to Italy than any previous barbarian invasion of the peninsula. But the Byzantine reconquest would turn out to be the last time Italy was united under a single government until the formation of the Kingdom of Italy 13 centuries later. Glad you all liked the coin and post  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,621 |
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Posted 07/12/2013 4:01 pm
