Artemide Kunstauktionen - Auction XLI, 29 November 2014 Live Auction, Hotel Sacher, Vienna. deamoneta/auctions/view/261/287 lot 287. Ostrogothic Italy, Odovacar (476-493). AV Solidus, in the name of Zeno. Mediolanum mint, c. 476-477 or 480-491. Obv. DN ZENO PERP AVC (AV ligate.). Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed facing bust, holding spear and shield. Rev. VICTORIA AVCCC. Victory standing left, holding jewelled long cross; in field, M-D; to left, star; in exergue, COMOB. Cf. Lacam 56. RIC X 3601 var. (AV ligate) (Zeno) (R4). AV. g. 4.45 mm. 20.50 RRR. Some light striking weakness, otherwise EF. Odovacar was the first barbarian king of the Italian peninsula. He deposed the last Western Emperor Romulus Augustus and murdered his father Orestes. He then sent the imperial regalia to Zeno in Constantinople who became nominally Emperor of the reunited Empire giving him the title of patrician. Although Odovacar became the effective ruler of the most of Italy, he antagonized the Emperor in styling himself King. Eventually Zeno engaged Theodoric the King of the Ostroghts to invade Italy; he captured most of it and besieged Odovacar in his Capital Ravenna. After a long siege Odovacar sought to make peace and apparently Theodoric killed him with his own hands at a victory banquet of reconciliation at hte Laureto palace. Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:14:40 +0000
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