Rávena Coin List

The city of Ravenna played a crucial role in the history of Italy during the 5th and 6th centuries AD, becoming the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later of the Ostrogothic Kingdom. This period of splendor was reflected in its architecture, art and, significantly, in its coinage, which provides valuable information about the economy and politics of the time.

Ravenna as imperial capital

When Emperor Honorius moved the capital from Milan to Ravenna in 402 AD, the city underwent a radical transformation. Its strategic location, protected by marshes and with access to the Adriatic Sea, made it an ideal defensive stronghold. During this period, Ravenna minted coins that reflected its new status. Gold solids and tremisses depicted imperial portraits and symbols of power, while silver and bronze coins, such as siliquas and nummi, circulated widely in the local economy. These coinage not only served as a medium of exchange, but also propagated the imperial image and legitimized the rule of the western emperors at a time of growing instability.

The Ostrogothic Kingdom and its numismatic legacy

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Ravenna became the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom under the rule of Theodoric the Great. This period marked a continuity in the monetary tradition, but with subtle changes that reflected the new political reality. Theodoric and his successors maintained the Roman monetary system, minting coins that imitated imperial designs. However, they introduced distinctive elements, such as monograms and titles that asserted their authority. Ostrogothic silver coins, in particular, are notable for their high quality and for maintaining the weight and purity of earlier imperial issues. This monetary policy not only facilitated trade with the Eastern Roman Empire, but also legitimized the Ostrogothic government in the eyes of the local population and foreign powers, demonstrating the sophistication and continuity of the Ravenna administration during this transitional period.

The most valuable and popular coins

The most valuable Rávena coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Old coins of Italy-States

To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of Italy-States.

Coin Catalog

Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Italy-States

Can't find what you are looking for? Take a look at our coin finder and speed up your searches within the collections of all collectors, or if you prefer you can search directly in the list of coin collectors and access their profile to see their collections.