Ostrogothic Kingdom

Theoderic, King 493-526

COI 6; MIB 7; MEC 1, -, Superb Extremely Fine

Rome, in the name of the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491-518). D N ANASTA-SIVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust of Anastasius I facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman spearing fallen enemy motif. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing facing, head left, holding long jewelled cross; in left field, ROMA monogram; in right field, *; ?//COMOB.

Theodoric, who had been educated as a hostage in Constantinople, became king of the Ostrogoths in AD 488. Ostensibly as an agent of Roman Emperor Zeno, Theodoric led an invasion of Odoacer’s Italian kingdom in the following year. After a series of battles, Theodoric and Odoacer agreed to divide Italy between themselves in AD 493, but the latter was killed during the celebration of the treaty, thereby leaving Theodoric as sole king. Through marriage alliances he extended his influence over the neighboring Burgundian and Vandal kingdoms before conquering the Visigoths in AD 511. Theodoric’s reign was notable for its respect for Roman law, philosophy, and building programs. Although struck under Theodoric, the present solidus features the imperial types of Anastasius I and maintains the fiction that he was a representative of the Eastern Roman Emperor.