From a tomb discovered at Morro d’Alba (Ancona) in 1894
Former F. Gnecchi collection
The gold medallion of Theodoric, discovered in 1894 in a burial at Morro d’Alba (Ancona), is a unique object of outstanding historical, artistic and numismatic significance and formed part of the celebrated collection of Francesco Gnecchi, acquired by the Italian State in 1923. Issued as a triple solidus, it depicts on the obverse the frontal bust of the Gothic king with bare head, long hair curling at the ends, thin moustache, scale cuirass and a cloak fastened by a fibula. The right hand is raised, while the left holds a globe surmounted by Victory. The reverse again shows Victory with globe, palm branch and wreath, accompanied by the legend VICTOR GENTIUM, celebrating the ruler as “conqueror of peoples”. The obverse inscription defines him as pius princeps, evoking titles of imperial tradition.
The dating of the medallion has long been debated: some scholars have proposed a date around AD 500, in connection with Theodoric’s visit to Rome, while others have suggested alternative chronologies. According to more recent studies, the piece was probably issued by a moving mint travelling with the king’s court before AD 497, the year in which Emperor Anastasius officially recognised Theodoric’s rule over Italy. The medallion was intended for ceremonial distribution as a donative to members of the court. At a later stage, it was transformed into a brooch, possibly worn by a member of the Gothic elite and buried with it. The findspot, associated with human remains and archaeological materials, indicates a funerary context. The iconography and legends reveal Theodoric’s deliberate attempt to legitimise himself as heir of the Roman Empire in Italy.