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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,458 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
... from its time as the capital of the Vandal Kingdom (sorry if I got your hopes up if you were hoping to see something Carthaginian). Yes boys and girls I knocked another type I was after off of my list! It looks like a normal siliqua of Honorius but this type with its distinctive style was struck by the Germanic Vandals during their domination of what were before the Roman provinces of Africa Proconsularis and Mauretania Caesariensis, which they had taken over in the 430s AD when they crossed over into Roman North Africa. For the next century the Vandals became a major Mediterranean power and a migraine for both halves of the Roman Empire. This coin was struck from approximately 440-480 AD so after Emperor Honorius himself was already dead. Anyways, it looks like a big coin but in actuality it not going to be big in hand; its close to the size of a U.S. dime. But I've been told that this type is thicker/chunkier than normal siliquae (but slightly smaller in width). This parrticular coin is actually in kind of better shape than typical examples, and the price for it wasn't bad either. Oh, and did I mention that this type is rare (or at least really, really scarce)?  In the name of Honorius, Vandal KingdomAR siliqua Obv: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: VRBS [ROMA], Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and spear Mint: Carthage (RVPS in ex; struck 440-480 AD) Ref: MEC 1, 1-3; BMC Vandals 6-9 Size: 16 mm wide And a map of Vandal country:  Edited by VisigothKing
02/22/2015 10:31 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
This is a must have for late antiquity, good catch! The style is impressive for Vandal coinage. Great choice.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Excellent find. You come up with the most interesting coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
All the more reason us Romanophiles should worship Belisarius  Very nice coin VK  Didn't these guys mint a silver piece that was valued at 50 Denarii or something? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
You tease, getting my hopes up... :)
Great coin though, such a weird period of history with kingdoms minting coins with dead Roman emperors on them.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
701 Posts |
Nice I couldn't help notice the similarities in the engraving of the obverse die with early byzantine coins of Justin I.  It looks like the work of the same engraver but the gap would probably prevent that unless he lived to a great age. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4778 Posts |
Yeah Aug Max, they struck quarter siliquae, half siliquae, and siliquae worth 25, 50, and 100 of the old denarii respectively.
Thanks all for the comments!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
My Vandal siliqua arrived today! Photos to follow soon!
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Here it is in hand. I definitely give this coin the VK 100% Seal of Approval!  |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
What is the weight |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Hum, I am curious about the weight also. The example is complete and the detail clear, I'm sure the coin doesn't deviate far from ideal.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Its 1.6 grams in weight, normal for these.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,458 |
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Posted 02/22/2015 10:38 pm
