LOMBARDS, Lombardy. Uncertain king, circa 590-615. Solidus (Gold, 22 mm, 4.39 g, 6 h), imitating Phocas (602-610). O N FOΛS PRP ΛVC Draped and cuirassed bust of Phocas facing, wearing crown surmounted by cross and holding globus cruciger in his right hand. Rev. VICTORI-Λ ΛVC I / CONOB Angel standing facing, holding long linear staff surmounted by staurogram in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left. Arslan -. Classical Numismatic Group 72 (2006), 2255 = Künker 205 (2012), 1263 = Künker 248 (2014), 7646 = Künker 277 (2016), 172 (same dies). MEC 1, -. Numismatica Ars Classica 25 (2003), 644 (same dies). Extremely rare, apparently the third known example. A wonderful, lustrous coin with a very impressive portrait. Slightly wavy and with traces of mounting and some scratches, otherwise, extremely fine.


On stylistic and technical grounds, these extremely rare imitations should certainly be placed in Italy. Their attribution to the Lombards is historically plausible, but the claim in Classical Numismatic Group 72 (2006), 2255 (‘This issue was struck during the reign of Agilulf (AD 590-615)’) remains speculative.