Barbarian Gold Solidus

[Al Kowsky]

I recently acquired a gold solidus struck in the name of Emperor Zeno, of the Eastern Roman Empire (top photo, courtesy of CNG), 20 mm, 4.48 gm. This coin was struck by an uncertain German barbarian tribe in the late 5th - early 6th century, in the style of the gold solidi struck at the Constantinople Mint. Pictured below it is a genuine gold solidus struck at the Constantinople Mint. After Rome fell in 476 CE the German barbarians assimilated into Roman society as best as they could, & this barbarian solidus is a good example of the coins they struck.

[JKK]

Interesting comparison. One can definitely see the quality control issues, especially on the face of the barbarian version. Thanks for sharing it.