Merovingian Argenteus

 

Measurements: 0.41 g.

 

Extremely rare

 

Cf. Philippe Schiesser et Eric Vandenbossche Cing argentei inedit V. et VI siècle dont un de Jovin (411-413), un d'Arles et un de Marseille, coin Fig. 5 (this coin) (Academia.edu)

Cf. Lafaurie in Melanges Bastien, Pl. 25, 3.

 

Ex Künker Auction 236, 07.10.2013, lot 1321

 

From Schiesser and Vandenbossche:

The second argenteus went on sale in Germany13. Its type is the most "common" with the seated  Roma (Fig. 5). On the right, the legend DVAIT / INAVG surrounds a cuirassed, draped and diademed bust. The D is in the form of a retrograde C, the A's are uncrossed and the N's retrograde. The diadem is represented in the characteristic form of the period14
The reverse bears the legend VIN / VITNI around a helmeted Rome seated left on a throne, holding a Nicephorus globe in her right hand and an inverted spear in her left. The second  N is retrograde. The curved line in the exergue is quite similar to several other examples such as one of the argentei found at Ville-Dommange (51390)15
With a weight of 0.41 g in spite of the suspension hole, this imitation once again fits the weight distribution table (fig. 2).