Time of Euric, Ca. AD 467-472

RIC 3765 (this example cited); Lacam p. 31, 144 (this coin), Extremely Fine

Upon the death of his father, Theoderic I, in 466, Euric inherited a Visigothic kingdom that included much of Aquitaine as well as a capital at Tolouse. From this core, he expanded his kingdom to encompass about two thirds of what is now modern France as well as much of the Iberian Peninsula by defeating rival Visigothic rulers and Roman commanders. He was notable not only for his drive to conquer, but for his administrative acumen. In 471 he codified the laws of the Visigoths and in 475 forced the weak Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to recognize his Visigothic kingdom as an independent state in exchange for the return of Provence. Previously Euric and other Visigothic rulers had maintained the fiction that they were vassals of the Emperor. The present imitative gold tremisses were probably struck under Euric before 475 as they still feature the types and inscriptions of the emperors Anthemious (467-472) and Julius Nepos (474-475). There is perhaps even greater irony in Euric’s issue of coins in the name of Anthemious than in that of Julius Nepos. In 471, Euric defeated and killed Anthemiolus, the son of Anthemious, in a battle near Arles.

In the name of Anthemius (AD 467-472). Uncertain mint in Gaul. D H ATHE-HIVS P G LVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Anthemius right. Reverse: Christogram in wreath; CONOB.

Ex Künker (11 March 2013), 2020; Bernard Chwartz Collection (Crinon, 14 June 2010), 150; Dürr/Michel (8 November 1999), 307