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Banner Artemide LVI
Lot # 478
The Lombards at Beneventum. Grimoald III, with Charlemagne, king of the Franks (788-806). AV Tremissis. Obv. + GRIM - - VALD. Crowned, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger. Rev. DOMS - CAR•RX (ligate). Cross potent, cross of four pellets above; G-R across field, pellet to either side of base; beneath, VIC (wedge). MEC 1, 1098; CNI XVIII 8; BMC Vandals 1. AV. 1.23 g. 16.00 mm. RR. Good metal. Very rare and in excellent condition for issue. Insignificant edge splits at 9-10 o' clock, otherwise about EF. Grimoald was the younger son of Arichis II and became duke after the death of his father. At the beginning he was a vassal of Charlemagne, the Frankish king, and together they defeated the Byzantines in Sicily, helping Desiderius’ son, Adalgis. Soon after, wishing to maintain his independence, Grimoald III resumed the title of Princeps. (NAC 93, 1335 note).