Catalog
| Issuer | Lombardy and Tuscany (Lombard Kingdom) |
|---|---|
| Year | 757-774 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Tremissis |
| Currency | Tremissis (653-774) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 1.006 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | CNI II#1 |
| Obverse description | Cross surrounded by legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
D NDCSIDCRIVS R (Translation: Our Lord, Desiderius, King) |
| Reverse description | Wheel dividing petals and surrounded by legend. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
FL`AVIA VIRCEL`L`I (Translation: Gold of Vercelli) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (757-774) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1481214890 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 1 Tremissis was issued by Desiderius (757-774), the final independent king of the Lombards. His reign marked the twilight of the Lombard Kingdom in Italy, a period of escalating tensions with the Papacy and the Franks under Charlemagne. Struck at the Vercelli mint, this coin represents a poignant historical artifact, witnessing the final moments of Lombard sovereignty before its absorption into the Carolingian Empire in 774, fundamentally reshaping early medieval Italy.
Artistry: The engraver of this tremissis remains anonymous, typical for early medieval coinage. The stylistic school is distinctly Lombardic, departing from classical realism towards a more abstract, simplified aesthetic. The obverse features a stylized bust, often crude, with the king's name, DESIDERIUS REX. The reverse commonly displays a cross potent on steps, sometimes with a mint signature like VERCELLIS. These designs reflect evolving artistic conventions, prioritizing symbolic representation over naturalistic depiction, characteristic of post-Roman Germanic coinage.
Technical/Grading: Struck in gold, this tremissis weighs approximately 1.006 grams and measures 19 millimeters. Key high-points for wear include the king's facial features/diadem on the obverse, and the central elements of the cross or steps on the reverse. Technically, these coins often exhibit characteristics typical of early medieval minting: irregular flans, variable centering, and uneven strike pressure. Planchet quality can vary, showing minor laminations. A full, well-centered strike with clear legends is rare, making such examples highly prized.