Don't Mention His Face (Or Lack Of It)!

...he's very sensitive about it!

My favorite dealer who knows I am into these was kind enough to offer me this decanummium of Baduila, the penultimate ruler of the Ostrogoths, for what I think was a pretty good price. I of course accepted. Given its rarity the condition its in is fine by me; I needed a Baduila for my Ostro collection. It arrived today and I am very pleased with it. A chunky coin too I should add!

Baduila (later known as Totila) was the second to last Ostrogothic king of Italy. He ascended to the throne at a time when the Eastern Roman Empire was about to finish its conquest (or reconquest, depending on how you look at it) of Italy. He restrengthened the Ostrogothic war effort, and nearly drove the Romans out of Italy, capturing Rome twice in the last stages of the Gothic War. In 552, Baduila died in combat against the Byzantines at the Battle of Taginae, in central Italy. The weakened Ostrogothic resistance was picked up by Teia, who had served as an officer under Baduila, but Teia himself would be killed in battle several months after him, ending the Ostrogoths' long (and ultimately unsuccessful) struggle to save their kingdom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totila

Baduila, Ostrogothic Kingdom (reigned 541-552 AD)
AE Decanummium
Obv: DN BADV-ILA REX, crowned, draped, bust facing
Rev: DN B/ADV/ELA/REX in four lines within wreath
Rome mint, struck 549-552 AD
Ref: MIB 89a