42 Nummi Countermark; As of Claudius, 41-54
Features
| Issuer |
Ostrogothic Kingdom
 |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coins |
| Years | 501-553 |
| Value | 42 Nummi = 1⁄12 Siliqua = 1⁄96 Tremissis |
| Currency | Tremissis (490-553) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 2.74 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered, Countermarked |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 166649 |
| References | MEC I# cf. 66 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, Carol Humphrey Vivian Sutherland, Robert Andrew Glendinning Carson; 1984. The Roman Imperial Coinage / Volume 1. Augustus – Vitellius (31 BC–AD 69) (1923 revised Edition). Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom. |
Obverse
Bust facing left and surrounded by legend, all with an etched countermark of a re-value in the left field.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
TI CLAUDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P
XLII
Translation:
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestate Imperator Pater Patriae
Emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar, August, Greatest Pontiff invested with Tribunician Power, Father of the Nation
Reverse
Libertas standing and surrounded by legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
LIBERTAS AVGVSTA
S - C
Translation:
Libertas Augusta / Senatus Consulto
Freedom of the August / 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 As struck under Claudius (41-54), 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 As struck under Claudius (41-54), 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.
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| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| ND (501-553) | |||||||||||||||
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Numista Rarity index: 91
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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