Visigothic Triens

The Visigothic triens, at around 1.5 grams of gold, often repurposed metal from Roman solidi, highlighting how former conquerors recycled their vanquished currency.

These coins were struck in mints across what is now Spain, from the early 5th century through to 711. You'd find a king's monogram or a crude bust on one side, paired with a cross on the other—simple designs that spoke of shifting power. Variations in weight and style suggest local adaptations, perhaps due to varying gold supplies or artisan skills.

We don't know the precise production numbers; Visigothic records are scarce, with most details coming from hoards unearthed centuries later. That said, I've handled ones from sites like Reccopolis, where the metal's purity still shines through the patina.

If you're thinking these are just knockoffs of Roman coins, well, imitation is the sincerest form of survival in numismatics.