Introduction

One of the most salient characteristics of Visigothic coinage is its scarcity, especially in comparison with that from other historical periods. The relatively small size of the available repertoire, however, only makes for a more attractive research subject, especially since it goes hand in hand with another important aspect: the large number of known dies, and thus of typological varieties, in proportion to the total number of specimens. As a result, new types are being discovered constantly and the repertory needs to be regularly updated.

In the decade that followed the publication of La moneda visigoda, many new discoveries have occurred, increasing the number of known coins and providing new evidence concerning the issuing mints and the chronology of certain series. Some of these recent developments are the result of archaeological work, which has become more efficient in the discovery of coins through the use of metal detectors and it is possible to highlight the hoard identified on La Vega Baja site in Toledo. Also important have been developments in the numismatic market, which has brought forth some exceptional specimens, hitherto hidden from scholarly research in private collections. Especially significant in this regard is the Valle de Los Pedroches Hoard (Córdoba). The decade has also witnessed renewed interest in topics that lay almost forgotten, such as the early stages of Visigothic coinage, with the detailed study of the Calle Cuna Hoard, found in Seville in 1972 and its comparison with the hoard found at Zorita de los Canes (Guadalajara).