Caligula As, re-tariffed by Ostrogoths Ostrogoths in Italy or Vandals in North Africa. Uncertain king in the 6th Century AD. AE As of Caligula (37-41 AD) (28-29 mm, 10.90 g), re-tariffed as 42 Nummi. Obv. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare head of Caligula left; mark of valuation XLII (42) cut into obverse in front of head. Rev. VESTA / S - C, Vesta, veiled and draped, seated left on ornamental throne, holding patera and long transverse sceptre. RIC I, 38 (for undertype). Very fine. These value-marks of 42 (Nummi) on re-used Roman imperial bronzes are usually attributed to the Ostrogoths, but they may also have been applied by the Vandals in North Africa. Most of these marks are found on 1st Century bronzes, usually Nero, Galba and the Flavians. This is the first such mark on a Caligula bronze that we have seen.
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