The coinage of Ostrogothic Italy & A die study of Theodahad folles

In the beginning of the 20th century the publication of the British Museum catalogue by W. Wroth supplied a work that still is quoted by many. Numismatic research was nevertheless able to correct as well as to add new material. The gold coinage does not show many peculiarities, if one excludes the monograms of Theoderic on the early solidi (and even tremisses) in the name of Anastasius I. Neverthless it is interesting that besides the large golden coin, the solidus, they produced tremisses and in much larger quantities than in the empire (in ratio). The preoccupation for solidi-fractions appears to be a Gothic peculiarity, which we can also observe with the Visigoths. In Ostrogothic coinage we know about fifty percent more tremisses than solidi. For the Ostrogothic kings the silver coinage served as a means to present themselves as rulers of Italy right from the beginning. Not only is the name of the king written on most - either in full or in form of a monogram - but also the obverse bust is depicted in `Ostrogothic` gown, although the emperor`s name is given in the legend (at least in the beginning). Only Baduila stopped using the emperor`s name and displayed his instead! In silver another peculiarity can be observed: coins with `imperial` bust (i.e. with paludamentum and cuirass) have been produced using the Eastern weight standard for silver (Siliqua at 2.2-2.5g); The gold to silver ratio was fixed with 4 solidi for 1 pound of silver. This means that with a changing weight standard the number of silver coins necessary to buy one solidus changed too. In the beginning of Theoderic`s reign one solidus was valued at a rate of 90 quarter-siliquas soon 48 half-siliquae; from 493 onwards at 56 half-siliquae. Based on the emissions of Odoacer`s large bronze coinage - in the name of Zeno - and in coordination with Anastasius I, Theoderic resumed the coinage of rather highly valued copper coins (in comparison to the then sole common copper coins, the minimi). The relationship between gold and copper coins varied, but these changes are based on other valuations than in the East (i.e. Constantinople). Some monetary independence of Italy can still be found after the fall of the Ostrogothic rule while under Byzantine control.