Catálogo
| Descrição do anverso | Facing bust |
|---|---|
| Escrita do anverso | Latin |
| Legenda do anverso | + LEOVICILDVS RE |
| Descrição do reverso | Facing bust |
| Escrita do reverso | Latin |
| Legenda do reverso | CE: AR: C: O: TAIV: T |
| Bordo | |
| Casa da moeda | |
| Tiragem |
ND (575-586) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 1110578670 |
| Informações adicionais |
Historical Context: This Tremissis was issued during the pivotal reign of Leovigild (575-586), a transformative Visigothic king who consolidated power across Hispania and Septimania. His rule marked a significant shift from the earlier imitative coinage that closely mirrored Byzantine imperial types. Leovigild was the first Visigothic monarch to issue gold coinage bearing his own name and portrait, asserting the kingdom's sovereignty and independence. The mint of Caesaraugusta (modern Zaragoza) was strategically important, reflecting the king's efforts to unify the Iberian Peninsula and establish a distinct Visigothic identity, moving away from Roman and Byzantine hegemony.
Artistry: The artistry of this Tremissis exemplifies the distinctive early medieval Visigothic style, characterized by a departure from classical naturalism. While the engravers remain anonymous, their work reflects a localized aesthetic, often rendering the ruler's bust in a highly stylized, almost schematic manner. Features such as the eyes, nose, and hair are typically simplified, sometimes appearing crude but possessing a unique expressive quality. The reverse design commonly features a cross, often flanked by mint marks or monograms, signifying a clear move towards Christian symbolism and local mint identification, replacing earlier imperial motifs.
Technical/Grading: Visigothic tremisses, including this Caesaraugusta issue, frequently exhibit characteristics indicative of their period's minting practices. High-points on the obverse bust, such as the diadem, nose, and hair, often show areas of weakness or flatness due to insufficient striking pressure or worn dies. The small, often irregularly shaped flans can result in off-center strikes, leading to partial legends or truncated design elements. Despite these variations in strike quality, the gold purity was generally maintained, ensuring the coin's intrinsic value, although overall technical execution can differ significantly between individual specimens.