FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Maciej D on January 09, 2018, 02:46:42 pm

Title: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Maciej D on January 09, 2018, 02:46:42 pm

I have a question.
Why the Vandals made (AE3) VIRTVS-EXERCITI Honorius on
coin (AE4) SALVS REI-PVBLICAE also Honorius?

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Jochen on January 09, 2018, 04:40:25 pm

Hi Maciej!

I have similar coins in my collection. Here is one of them:

Valentinian II, barbarious overstruck on an official coin
AE4, 1.36g
struck 383-392
obv. [DN VA]LENTINI[ANVS PF AVG]
       bust, draped and diademed, pearl-diademed, r.
rev. [SALVS REI] - PVBLIC[AE]
       Victory advancing l., holding trophy and dragging captive
       overstruck by HONORIVS rev. VIRTVS EXERCITI

Theodosius II, barbaric overstruck on official coin

I have made the following note:
This overstruck type is usually linked to the Codex Theodosianus edict from Apr.12th, 395 AD. But this connection is probably not valid, though the coins can certainly be dated to ca.395-401 AD. The more likely explanation is that the counterfeiters were attempting to take advantage of the lack of familiarity of the people with the newly issued VIRTVS EXERCITI type by converting the old SALVS REIPVBLICAE AE4’s (with an average weight of around 1.1 to 1.2 grams) into the new VIRTVS EXERCITI AE3’s (with an average weight of about 2.3 to 2.4 grams). The obvious advantage to such fraud would be the doubling of the nominal value of the coin, the profit belonging, obviously, to the “moneyer” (from Ancient Coins Canada).

I think that can be true for your coin too. The connection to the Vandals is new for me!

Best regards

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Maciej D on January 10, 2018, 10:12:47 am

This type of coin (in a similar style) has been repeatedly featured at numismatiklanz auctions as made by Vandal.
These coins probably come from North Africa.

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Jochen on January 15, 2018, 02:32:23 pm

Is that all you have to add?

Jochen

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Maciej D on January 20, 2018, 11:00:52 am

Unfortunately yes...
The style of this coin is similar to the one minted after 410

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Maciej D on May 12, 2019, 03:02:39 pm

A new coin in my collection

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: mauseus on May 12, 2019, 04:19:28 pm

Hi,

Can you work out what it is overstruck on?

Regards,

Mauseus

Title: Re: Vandals/Honorius
Post by: Maciej D on May 13, 2019, 01:56:21 pm

I am sorry but I do not understand all the sentences in English. Could you write it in a different way?