Katalog
| Emitent | Vandal Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Rok | 440-530 |
| Typ | Standard circulation coin |
| Nominał | 1 Nummus = 1/10 Denarius (0.1) |
| Waluta | Denarius (440-534) |
| Skład | Bronze |
| Waga | 0.20 g |
| Średnica | 8 mm |
| Grubość | |
| Kształt | Round (irregular) |
| Technika | Hammered |
| Orientacja | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Rytownik(zy) | |
| W obiegu do | |
| Źródło(a) | BMC Vandal#21, MEC I#31-32 |
| Opis awersu | Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust facing right and surrounded by illegible legend. |
|---|---|
| Pismo awersu | |
| Legenda awersu | |
| Opis rewersu | What is supposed to be a Victory standing while holding wreath, all surrounded by illegible legend. |
| Pismo rewersu | |
| Legenda rewersu | |
| Krawędź | |
| Mennica | |
| Nakład |
ND (440-530) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 2012170360 |
| Dodatkowe informacje |
Historical Context: This diminutive bronze nummus, dating from 440-530 AD, offers insight into the Vandal Kingdom's monetary system in North Africa. Classified as an imitation of King Thrasamund's issues (r. 496-523 AD), it highlights the economic exigencies and localized production during Vandal rule. Such imitative coinage arose from the scarcity of official issues, circulating alongside them, reflecting a decentralized, pragmatic approach to currency provision in a post-Roman, pre-Byzantine landscape.
Artistry: The artistic execution of this nummus, typical of Vandalic imitations, is highly stylized and rudimentary. Lacking sophisticated craftsmanship, these pieces were produced by local artisans prioritizing functionality over aesthetic refinement. The design, usually a simplified bust on the obverse and a basic symbol or monogram on the reverse, exhibits a distinct "barbaric" style, marked by crude lines, generalized features, and a clear departure from classical artistic conventions.
Technical/Grading: Given its minute dimensions (8mm) and extremely light weight (0.20g), the technical strike quality of this nummus is inherently limited. High-points like detailed facial features, hair, or legend elements are frequently indistinct, weakly struck, or entirely off-flan. Flans are often irregular in shape and thickness, contributing to an uneven strike. Grading focuses less on detail sharpness and more on overall flan integrity, legibility of preserved elements, and degree of off-centeredness.