83 Nummi Countermark; Sestertius of Vespasian, 69-79
Features
| Issuer |
Ostrogothic Kingdom
 |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coins |
| Years | 501-553 |
| Value | 83 Nummi = ⅙ Siliqua = 1⁄48 Tremissis |
| Currency | Tremissis (490-553) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 25.20 g |
| Diameter | 33 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered, Countermarked |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 166595 |
| References | MEC I# pp. 28 Philip Grierson, Mark Blackburn; 2007. Medieval European Coinage / Volume 1: The Early Middle Ages (5th-10th Centuries): With a Catalogue of the Coins in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Harold Mattingly, Edward Allen Sydenham; 1926. The Roman Imperial Coinage / Volume 2. Vespasian to Hadrian. Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom. |
Obverse
Bust facing right and surrounded by legend, all with an etched countermark of a re-value in the right field.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR P P P COS III
LXXXIII
Translation:
Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestate Pater Patriae Consul Tertium
Emperor Caesar Vespasian, August, Greatest Pontiff invested Tribunician Power, Father of the Nation, Consul for the Third Time
Reverse
Bounded, standing person and captive around palm tree, all surrounded by legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IVDAEA CAPTA
S C
Translation:
Judaea Capta / Senatus Consulto
Judea Conquered / By Decree of the Senate
Edge
Plain
Comments
These countermarked coins came in two denominations: 42 Nummi and 83 Nummi. While their values are quite odd in comparison to other Ostrogothic coins, these coins were not intended to be used as general nummus pieces, but rather fractions of the Siliqua (1/12 and 1/6 of one, respectively). While these denominations in nummi are not perfectly divisible by the equivalent values in siliquae, these values are as close to the proper divisions as possible.
The host coin for this piece is a Rome mint, 1 Sestertius struck under Vespasianus (69-79), and these were said to be countermarked in the early- to mid-6th century. With the Ostrogothic Kingdom falling in 553, that is the latest possible end-date.
Around 150 countermarked coins are known, with the vast majority being found in Italy. Because the host coins were minted hundreds of years before the countermarks were applied, it is suggested that a hoard of these host coins were found, which prompted some local mint in Ostrogothic Italy to start countermarking them.
The host coin for this piece is a Rome mint, 1 Sestertius struck under Vespasianus (69-79), and these were said to be countermarked in the early- to mid-6th century. With the Ostrogothic Kingdom falling in 553, that is the latest possible end-date.
Around 150 countermarked coins are known, with the vast majority being found in Italy. Because the host coins were minted hundreds of years before the countermarks were applied, it is suggested that a hoard of these host coins were found, which prompted some local mint in Ostrogothic Italy to start countermarking them.
See also
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| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| ND (501-553) | Unique | ||||||||||||||
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Numista Rarity index: 97
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
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