Vandal Authority, Silver, Half Siliqua, Imitation, Carthage, circa 470-480
Obverse
Bust of ruler facing right and wearing pearl-diadem with pendants, drape, and cuirass.
DNHON...VSPPΛVC
Reverse
Roma seated holding globe with Victory in right hand and long staff in left hand.
VICTOR...IΛVCC
Exergue
[ ]SR[ ]
Obverse
Bust of ruler facing right and wearing pearl-diadem with pendants, drape, and cuirass.
DNHON...VSPPΛVC
Reverse
Roma seated holding globe with Victory in right hand and long staff in left hand.
VICTOR...IΛVCC
Exergue
[ ]SR[ ]
| Accession number | BZC.2012.002 |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Vandal Authority |
| Metal | Silver |
| Denomination | Half Siliqua |
| Mint | Carthage |
| Date | circa 470 – 480 |
| Diameter | 11.5 mm |
| Weight | 0.97 g |
| Relation of Dies | 5:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From Peter Scwartz, ex. J. H. Collection, July 2012, from Melqart, coin dealer, from Alicante.
Commentary
The small diameter and low weight place this coin at the lower limit of the Urbs Roma siliquae and at the upper one of the Victoria aug half siliquae (see histograms in C. Morrisson and J. H. Schwartz, “Vandal Silver Coinage in the Name of Honorius,” 166). This ambiguity makes it difficult to consider it an unpublished type of the half siliqua with the reverse type of the siliqua, all the more since the style is relatively correct and fits in the imitative series of the siliquae, while the poor state of preservation could account for the low weight and small diameter. Compare to Morrisson and Schwartz, “Vandal Silver Coinage,” 156–57, nos. 77–85.