Catalogue
| Émetteur | Vandal Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Année | 484-496 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Valeur | 50 Denarii |
| Devise | Denarius (440-534) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Poids | 1.07 g |
| Diamètre | |
| Épaisseur | |
| Forme | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Graveur(s) | |
| En circulation jusqu’à | |
| Référence(s) | MEC I#8-10, BMC Vandal#3-7, MIB I#42/3 |
| Description de l’avers | Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust facing right and surrounded by legend. |
|---|---|
| Écriture de l’avers | Latin |
| Légende de l’avers |
D N RX G VNTHA (Translation: Our Lord and King, Gunthamund.) |
| Description du revers | Legend under line and surrounded by wreath. |
| Écriture du revers | Latin |
| Légende du revers |
D · N (Translation: Denarii.) |
| Tranche | |
| Atelier | |
| Tirage |
ND (484-496) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 8087065480 |
| Informations supplémentaires |
Historical Context: This 50 Denarii silver coin was issued by Gunthamund, King of the Vandal Kingdom, during his reign from 484 to 496 AD. Minted in Carthage, the Vandal capital, it represents a period of relative stability following the tumultuous rule of his predecessor, Huneric. Gunthamund consolidated Vandal power in North Africa, fending off Moorish incursions and navigating complex relations with the Eastern Roman Empire. Its issuance underscores the Vandal Kingdom's economic vitality and assertion of sovereign authority.
Artistry: The artistic execution of this coin falls within the late Roman provincial stylistic tradition, adapted by Vandalic mints. While the engraver remains anonymous, the style typically exhibits a simplified, yet robust, rendering of imperial iconography. Obverses often feature a diademed bust, sometimes crudely executed but possessing distinctive vigor. Reverses commonly display a prominent cross potent or a royal monogram, emblematic of Vandalic Christian identity and royal authority. The aesthetic conveys a powerful, localized, regal presence.
Technical/Grading: Struck on a silver flan weighing approximately 1.07 grams, this 50 Denarii typically presents challenges for a full, sharp strike. High points on the obverse bust include the diadem, nose, and shoulder; on the reverse, the center and arms of a cross or intersecting lines of a monogram. Vandalic silver coinage frequently exhibits irregular flans, off-center strikes, and varying die wear. Collectors should anticipate some areas of flatness, particularly on the periphery, assessing strike quality based on clarity of central design and legibility of legends.