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Kingdom of the Lombards, Alboin, Tremissis

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Kingdom of the Lombards, Alboin, Tremissis (obverse) Kingdom of the Lombards, Alboin, Tremissis (reverse)

This very rare tremissis was issued under King Alboin (568-572), the conqueror of Italy and founder of the Lombard kingdom. It is an imitation in the name of Emperor Justin II, whose bust is depicted on the obverse. The Lombards settled without imperial authorization on Roman lands. Hence they were unable to adopt the existing administration. They likewise failed to capture Ravenna or Rome, the two major mints. Yet their coins were copies of tremisses of Ravenna in the names of the Eastern Roman emperors. From their originals they are distinguishable only by their blundered inscriptions. Here, it is is DNIVSTI NVSPPAVC on the obverse. The reverse shows a Victory with a wreath and a cross and the legend VICTORIA AVCVSTORVM and CONOB.

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