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ID: |
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74000876 |
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[UNVERIFIED]
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| Type: |
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Central Europe and Italy |
| Region: |
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Lombardy and Tuscany |
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City:
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Regal Coinage |
| Issuer: |
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Aistulf |
| Date Ruled: |
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749-756 AD
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| Metal: |
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Bronze |
| Denomination: |
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Follis |
| Struck / Cast: |
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struck |
| Date Struck: |
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AD 749-756 |
| Weight: |
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0.92 g |
| Die Axis: |
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6 h |
| Obverse Legend: |
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[D N AISTVL]F PRN |
| Obverse Description: |
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Bearded, 'uncrowned' draped bust of Aistulf facing, [holding globus cruciger in right hand]; hair parted frontally in the Lombard fashion, [wearing a diadem surmounted by a cross] |
| Reverse Legend: |
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[D N AISTVLF RX] / S |
| Reverse Description: |
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Crowned and bearded bust of Aistulf facing, wearing robes of state, holding scepter in right hand, possibly terminating in a cross(?); S (indictional date) in right field |
| Mint: |
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Ravenna |
| Primary Reference: |
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cf. Triton VII, 1070, otherwise unpublished |
| Photograph Credit: |
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Classical Numismatic Group |
| Source: |
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http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=97289 |
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Grade:
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VF, dark green patina, small section broken and repaired |
| Notes: |
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Sale: Triton X, Lot: 876 Extremely rare, apparently the second known. This recently discovered coin type of Aistulf, struck in Ravenna in 752/3, appears to present startling new historical and constitutional evidence on early medieval Italy. Aistulf apparently proclaimed himself princeps after his conquest of Ravenna in 750/1. Previously, the earliest attested numismatic use of this title was by Arichis II of Beneventum (see next lot), who altered his title from dux to princeps after Charlemagne's overthrow of the Lombard kingdom in 774. An article on this new type, by M.D. O'Hara, with I. Vecchi, is forthcoming. |
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