The latest update on my Roman Empire is that I added another Page (grouping of 15 coins). 

This time, I added a new Page at the end, entitled "Epilogue", here is the synopsis..."After the deposition of the last claimant to Rome's throne, various successor states (e.g., Ostrogoths, Vandals, and Lombards) vie with Constantinople for dominion over the West."

I decided to add this Chapter after I learned more about what happened *after* the fall of the Western Roman Empire.  As I learned more, it became clear that Rome not such much fell, as was absorbed into various "Romanized barbarian" tribes.  In many ways, this period in history is at least equally as fascinating as the preceding period.  Here is a quick description of the coins I choose to include, and why they choose them...

Odovacar - The first "King", albeit a Germanic one, to rule over Italy since before the Republic. He was a remarkable fellow with a remarkable history (it will take me some time to finish my research and get that posted).  Odovacar's coins are extremely rare and apparently extremely desirable.  I have been trying to land one of Odovacar's coins for several years.  Finally, I managed to land this one at auction after a number of failed attempts.  This bronze graded a highly respectable XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.

Gunthamund - King of the Vandals from 484 to 496 AD.  He ruled over the Vandals around the time of the so-called "Vandal Renaissance".  I used this opportunity to also give an example of the unexpected richness of the culture at that time, one of the "Vandal literati", Dracontius, who was imprisoned by Gunthamund and wrote several works while in prison to try and apologize for offending the King.  For more details, read my Owner's Comments I already posted for this one.  This 25 denarii coin graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.  Not the greatest grade, but a rare coin though.

Thrasamund - King of the Vandals from 496 to 523 AD.  He ruled over the Vandals at their apex.  Still researching this one, stay tuned for my Owner's Comments.  This 50 denarii coin graded a highly respectable XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.

Theodoric - King of the Ostrogoths from 493 to 526 AD.  He ruled over the Ostrogoths at arguably the height of their power and culture.  Read my Owner's Comments for details of his interesting history. This decanummium graded a highly respectable XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5. Again, a rare coin in any grade.

Ostrogoths - I saw this coin and I had to purchase it for the collection - it features many Roman elements, including Roma herself, even though it is an Ostrogoth coin. A great illustration of the concept of the barbarians' so-called Romanization. In any case, read my Owner's Comments if you want to learn more about the Ostrogoths.  This 40 nummi coin graded Ch VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5.  A relatively rare coin in any grade.

Anastatius I - Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 491 to 518 AD.  He represents the first Emperor that NGC denotes as Byzantine (as opposed to Western Roman Empire). In my posted Owner's Comments for this coin, I review the transition of the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire.  This coin graded a spectacular Gem MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5 (and I submitted myself as a "raw coin" - few numismatic experiences are as thrilling as that!)

Hilderic - King of the Vandals from 523 to 530 AD.  Still researching this one, stay tuned for my Owner's Comments.  This 50 denarii coin graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5. A very high grade for such a very rare coin.

Athalaraic - King of the Ostrogoths from 526 to 533 AD.  Still conducting research on this coin as well. This quarter silique was struck in the name of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and graded a highly respectable XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5.

Gelimer - King of the Vandals from 530 to 540 AD.  Still researching this one, stay tuned for my Owner's Comments.  This nummus graded VF, Strike 3/5, Surface 4/5.  A rare coin in any grade.

Theodahad - King of the Ostrogoths from 534 to 536 AD.  Research also in progress.  This coin graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.  Another example of a rare coin in any grade. 

Witigis - King of the Ostrogoths from 536 to 540 AD.  Research also in progress.  This half siliqua graded VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5.  Another example of a rare coin in any grade (honestly, I was hoping for a higher surface grade, but I'm not the expert grader, NGC is...)

Baduila - King of the Ostrogoths from 541 to 552 AD.  Research also in progress.  This coin graded Ch VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.  Once again, a rare coin in any grade.

Justinian I - Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565 AD.  To find out why he is the most deserving person to be called "the Last Roman", please read my Owner's Comments!  This gold solidus graded a very satisfying Ch MS, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5.

Lombards - This half siliqua coins was struck by the tribe that managed to gain rule over Rome in the power vacuum after the fall of all the other guys (Ostrogoths and Vandals in particular), and the retreat of Byzantium from the West. That would be the enigmatic Lombards.  This extremely scarce coin (one of few of its kind I have ever seen) was struck in name of Justinian I and graded Ch VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5.

Charlemagne - Last, but certainly not at all least...he was considered the "father or Europe".  He held sway over various tribes from the Franks to essentially recreate Rome's legacy under a new "Holy Roman Empire".  I submitted this as an ancient coin, NGC decided to grade otherwise.  In any case, despite its modest appearance, this is one of the most beautiful and important coins to me that I possess.  I still need to conduct my research and post Owner's Comments.  This denier graded AU.

Here is a link to this Page in my Roman Empire Collection...

https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365