[gothic-l] Ostrogothic half-follis

[dirk at SMRA.CO.UK]

Here is a picture of an Ostrogothic half-follis, that I bought last
week:

http://www.tritonauctions.com/images/58014270.jpg

This coin type is very rare and much rarer than the full-folles. For
picture of follis:

http://www.tritonauctions.com/images/58014280.jpg

The half-follis shows the bust of 'Roma' on the averse with the
inscription 'Roma Invicta'. The reverse shows Romulus and Remus and
the She-Wolf, and below the denomination XX for 20-nummi.

This type was introduced by Theoderic the Great in the 490s at the
earliest and minted  probably into the 520s. With the choice of
motive and inscriptions, Theoderic tried to placate the Romans,
re-assuring them that he would rule Italy as agent of the empire,
commissioned by the emperor. His Gothic army was an ally of the
Empire, commissioned to root out the ursurper Odoacer with his
Scirian, Herulian and Rugian 'barbarians'. In addition, Theoderic's
reverting to Roman republican symbolism was meant to show his true
admiration of Roman virtues. In short, Theoderic's coins are
programme: Italy would not become a Gotia, but the Goths had found
their final and beneficial destination in a re-newed Romania/Italia.

cheers
 Dirk


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