logo_moneymuseum

Visigoth Empire, Imitative Solidus in the Name of Valentinian III

back

Visigoth Empire, Imitative Solidus in the Name of Valentinian III (obverse) Visigoth Empire, Imitative Solidus in the Name of Valentinian III (reverse)

Though influenced to a large extent by the late Roman Empire, Visigoth coinage developed its own characteristics. True to Roman archetypes, the obverse of this solidus depicts the bust of Valentinian III (425-455 AD), one of the last Western Roman Emperors. The reverse shows Valentinian again, holding a statue of Victory in his left and a ferula in his right hand. One foot is standing on the head of a snake with a human head.

Typically Visigothic is the little circle above the emperor's head on the obverse, illustrating a laurel wreath with a small hand in the middle (the Manus Dei), which is unfortunately hard to recognize on this coin. It stands for the elective monarchy of the Visigoths: Unlike the late Roman emperors, who declared their heirs co-emperors to ensure dynastic continuity, the Visigoth kings were elected.

back

Signet Sunflower Foundation