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Baduila-Totila, 541 - 552
Deka (10 Nummi)
DNBADV // ILAREX // DNB ADV ELA REX
Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.98 g.
Fine style of the "coarse style type". Exceptional condition for the issue and one of the finest exemplars available. Variant with E in BADUELA instead of I.
Metlich 97a with I in Baduila, MEC 157
Ex: Baldwins Auction 90 & 91, 24-25.09.2014, lot 1485
This Decanummium was minted by Baduila after his second capture of Rome in 549. He would rule the eternal city for three more years until his death, after which it - now but a shadow of its former glory - fell back into Byzantine hands. The frontal portrait is one of the finest representations of Gothic kings on coins. Particularly noticeable on this piece is the Gothic 'Spangenhelm', adorned with two stars. The inscription itself is a blend of Roman and Germanic traditions, referring to the king in Latin with the ancient Roman title dominus noster ('our lord'), but using rex (the Latin version of the Germanic rix = king) instead of the imperial Augustus.
Collection : Ostrogoths - Bronze