Spain (653-72) tremissis

Goldberg NY International sale 58, lot 1262

This specimen was lot 1262 in Goldberg's NY International sale 58 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Visigoths in Spain. Recceswinth (653-672). Gold Tremissis, undated. Cordoba mint. Bust right. Rev. Cross potent set on four steps. Rare. Sharply struck with full mint bloom. In PCGS holder graded MS 62." The Visigoths were a barbarian horde from the lower Danube who invaded the Roman empire in the fifth century as it collapsed. After various wanderings, they settled in southern France and established a kingdom. Driven out of Gaul by the Franks in the sixth century, the Visigoths set up shop in Spain, contending with the Suevi and the remnants of Byzantine rule. In 589, the kings renounced the Arian heresy and joined the Roman Catholic church. With church support, the kingdom survived until the coming of the Arabs in 711. Succession disputes led to constant civil war and there was little resistance to the Muslim invasion. Their coinage comprises gold tremisses almost exclusively, the tremissis being one-third of a Roman solidus. The contraction of trade and the shortage of gold meant that larger gold coins were not wanted or even feasible. Cayón notes this as a rare mint.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: gold, this specimen 1.53 g.

Catalog reference: Miles 364f; Cayón-379.

Source:

• Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, vol. 1, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• ^[1]Goldberg, Ira, Stephen Harvey and Vera Kan, Goldberg NY International 2023 Sale, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2022.

Links to:

• Spain (649-72) tremissis, Ispali mint, Recceswinth
• Coins and currency dated 653