1 Tremissis In the name of Heraclius, Lined torso

Historical Context: This Tremissis, issued by the Lombard Kingdom in Italy between 610 and 690, is a compelling example of an "in the name of" coinage. While bearing the effigy and nominal authority of the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius (r. 610-641), its production by Lombard mints underscores the political and economic realities of early medieval Italy. The Lombards, an independent Germanic kingdom, initially relied heavily on imitating Byzantine gold coinage for their currency needs, leveraging the prestige and established trade network associated with imperial issues, even as they consolidated their own territories in opposition to Byzantine rule.

Artistry: Lacking individual engraver signatures, this coin belongs to the broad stylistic school of "barbaric imitations" or "Lombardic stylization" of Byzantine prototypes. The "lined torso" descriptor points to a distinctive artistic interpretation where the imperial drapery or armor is rendered with simplified, linear incisions rather than more volumetric modeling. This reflects a progressive abstraction from the Byzantine original, characteristic of Lombard mints across Italy (e.g., Pavia, Milan, Benevento), which often prioritized symbolic recognition over detailed realism, resulting in a unique, almost iconic aesthetic.

Technical/Grading: For this type, critical grading high-points include the distinctness of the "lined torso" on the obverse bust, alongside any legible features of the crown or face, which are often highly stylized or dotted. The clarity of the obverse and reverse legends, typically blundered or abbreviated (e.g., DN HERACLIVS PP AVG / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM), is also important. On the reverse, the definition of the cross potent on steps is key. Given the typically irregular flans and often crude strikes of Lombard imitations, a well-centered strike with minimal legend loss and a clear rendition of the primary devices would be highly desirable for collectors.