Visigoths. Euric in the name of Leo I. Struck in Gaul after 472 AD. AV 
Solidus (4.32 gm). 

DHLEOPE-RPPCTAVC, helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter 
facing bust, holding spear over right shoulder and shield on left / 

VICTORI-A AVCCCG, angel standing left, holding long voided cross; star in right field; CONOB. Cf., for types, RIC X 2535 (Milan) and RIC X 605 
(Constantinople), for style, RIC X 3769 (in the name of Zeno) and MEC I 
177 (in the name of Julius Nepos). Unpublished. EF. ($2000) 

Pseudo-imperial solidi Gallici in the name of Honorius were first issued 
by the Visigoths soon after they had crossed the Alps in 412 under the 
leadership of Athaulf to serve Rome against the Suevi and Vandals. His 
successor Wallia (415-418) was in 417/8 given permission to settle his people as foederati of Rome in western Aquitaine, including the two 
great cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse, which became their capital. 
When Wallia died in 418 the Goths elected Theoderic I, 
whose descendants held the throne down to 531. 
The occasion for Visigothic adoption of this eastern type solidus, which 

Milan adopted at the same time, seems to be the death of Olybrius in 472 
when Leo I became, for the fourth time, nominal emperor of the West. The 
ambitious Visigothic king Euric took advantage of the turmoil in Italy 
after Ricimer.s capture of Milan and Rome in 472 and threw off all 
pretence of 
      allegiance to Rome. By 475 he conquered eastern Aquitaine and became ruler 
      of all Gaul between the Loire and Provence including the great city of 
      Marseilles, to which he also added north-eastern Spain.
Visigothic gold in the name of Leo I was previously unknown. 
      This issue nicely fills the gap between the Visigothic gold in the name of 
      Anthemius (467-472), RIC X 3765, and that in the name of Julius Nepos 
      (474-475) and Zeno (476-491), RIC X 3766 ff. and 3769 ff.

Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 2243.

 Lot was unsold.

By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.