42 Nummi Countermark, As of Galba, 68-69, Libertas

Historical Context: This bronze 42 Nummi countermark, issued by the Ostrogothic Kingdom (501-533), represents a critical phase in early medieval Italian numismatics. Applied to a Roman Imperial As of Galba (68-69 CE), it signifies the Ostrogothic reassertion of monetary authority under rulers like Theodoric the Great. This re-valuation of older bronze denominations, such as 42 Nummi, addressed the need for circulating currency, integrating Roman legacy with Ostrogothic fiscal standards.

Artistry: The original host coin, an As of Galba, featured a portrait of the emperor and a Libertas reverse, characteristic of Roman Imperial iconography. The Ostrogothic countermark, however, reflects a pragmatic rather than artistic impulse. Lacking a specific engraver, its design is purely functional: a simple punch indicating the new denomination of 42 Nummi. This utilitarian mark, often crude, belongs to a post-classical stylistic school focused on administrative clarity over aesthetic embellishment.

Technical/Grading: Measuring 28 mm and weighing 9.62 gg, this bronze piece adheres to the general specifications of a Roman As. For grading, critical evaluation focuses on the clarity and depth of the applied countermark. High-points for the original Galba As would include the emperor's features or Libertas's drapery; however, the countermark often partially obliterates these. The strike quality of the countermark is paramount, assessing its completeness and the crispness of the numeral, often found off-center on the pre-existing, circulated flan.