$28,635.00 USD
Struck during the early medieval period of Lombard Italy, this gold Tremis originates from the Lucca Mint, a significant economic center in Tuscany under Lombard rule. This era followed the collapse of Byzantine authority in much of Italy and marks a period when the Lombard Kingdom asserted increasing autonomy, issuing its own distinctive coinage modeled after late Roman and early Merovingian prototypes.
Obverse: Displays a stylized radiate cross in a beaded circle, flanked by the Latinized mint inscription “LVCA”, rendered in a deliberately primitive and geometric script. This clear naming of the mint is a distinctive trait of the Lucca output.
Reverse: Features a simple upright cross with pellets and globules, flanked by pseudo-legends arranged in tight concentric lines, surrounding the central device. The beaded outer ring remains intact, adding to the coin’s striking symmetry and completeness.
It shows brilliant golden luster, well-centered strike, and exceptional flan integrity — attributes extremely rare for Lombardic issues. Coins of this era were often hand-struck on small, irregular flans, and most surviving specimens exhibit flattening, weak legends, or clipping. An MS66 example likely represents one of the finest known Lombard tremisses, making it a trophy-grade artifact from post-Roman Italy.
An insanely rare grade for this issue!