I have three coins to post, which are Valentinian and Theodosian AE4's - some very tough types to find with acceptable details since they were so small and carelessly-produced. The first is this VICTORIA AVGGG of Valentinian II, unusually strong for the type... It gets added to my plate of Valentinian dynasty coins as my second coin of Val II. Notice the difference in obverse inscriptions between the two. Coin 8 has the unbroken legend, minted during Theodosius' temporary occupation of the Siscia mint. When Valentinian Junior's Illyrican mints were restored to him, we get the broken legend of coin 9. Broken legends during the 4th-century indicated an independent sovereign. 1. Valentinian I, AD 364-375 AE3: 18mm, 2.8g, 12h; Siscia mint: 364-367. Obv.: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing right // dot ΔSISC Reference: RIC IX Siscia 7a (p. 146). mint mark ii (p. 140). Notes: Siscia issues are the most common for this type. 2. Valentinian I, AD 354-375 AE3 18mm, 2.2g, 12h; Constantinople mint: 364-7 Obv.: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing right // CONSPA Reference: RIC IX Constantinople 21(a) (p. 215), mint mark 1, scarce. Notes: Issues of Constantinople are scarce to rare for this type. 3. Valentinian I, AD 354-375 AE3: 19mm, 3g, 12h; Sirmium mint: AD 364. Obv.: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VOT/V/MVLT/X in wreath // BSIRM Reference: RIC IX Sirmium 8, mint mark 2 (p. 159). Notes: A scarce, Sirmium-only issue, struck for several months before the mint was closed. See RIC IX p. xv for analysis. 4. Valentinian I, AD 354-375 AE3: 18mm, 2g, 6h; Siscia mint: AD 367-375. Obv.: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLORIA RO-MANORVM; Emperor advancing right, with right hand dragging captive and holding labarum in left; F-R/ R with hook // BSISC angular S dot Reference: RIC IX Siscia 14(a) (p. 147), mint mark xxxv (p. 143). 5. Valens, AD 364-378 AE3: 19mm, 2.8g, 12h; Thessalonica mint: AD 364-367. Obv.: DN VALEN-S PF AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLORIA RO-MANORVM; Emperor advancing right, with right hand dragging captive and holding labarum in left // TESB Reference: RIC IX Thessalonica 16(b) (p. 176), mint mark i (p. 168). Notes: Collected for engraving detail in captive. 6. Gratian, AD 375-383 AE3, 17mm, 2.2g, 1h; Siscia mint, AD 367-375 Obv.: DN GRATIANVS PF AVG; Pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLORIA RO-MANORVM; Emperor advancing right, with right hand dragging captive and holding labarum in left. In left field Q, in right field star, K // ΔSISCR Reference: RIC IX Siscia 14c (p. 147) mint mark xxvii (p. 142). Notes: ex JA, sold to Alegandron, 9/15 7. Gratian, AD 375-383 AE4, 14mm, 0.91g, 12h; Heraclea mint, AD 378-383. Obv.: DN GRATIA-NVS PF AVG; diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VOT/XX/MVLT/XXX in wreath // SMHB. Reference.: RIC IX Heraclea 20a (p. 196), Scarce. 8. Valentinian II, AD 375-392 AE3: 18mm, 2g, 12h; Siscia mint: 378-383. Obv.: DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG; diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: CONCORDIA AVGGG; Roma seated facing, head left, holding globe and reversed spear, her left leg bare. Reference: RIC IX Siscia 27(b), mint mark 2 (p. 151). 9. Valentinian II, AD 375-392 AE4: 1.2g, 13mm, 12h; Siscia mint: 384-387. Obv.: DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG; Pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VICTOR-IA AVGGG; Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm // ASIS Reference: RIC IX Siscia 39(a), p. 155.
This coin is even smaller at 1g, 10mm. The cross types of Theodosius II come in wreath and legend varieties. The CONCORDIA AVGGG legend types are rare, and rarely do you find a reverse with so much clear detail on it. Unfortunately the obverse is quite weak on this coin, but I couldn't pass on it for the excellent reverse. However, the obverse is not as weak as the above photo would have you believe - it is still respectable (for the type)... This also makes only my second coin of Theo II, the other being a two-emperors GLORIA ROMANORVM type. I haven't put together a nice plate of Theodosian Dynasty coins yet, but that's forthcoming shortly...
That's the truth---and you found some exceptional examples.... That's another area I need to work on. Congrats JA!!! Here's one of the few photos I have of those particular Emperors---Valens:
...and those words are the name of the game for some of us. There are coins that so regularly come in perfectly struck EF that decent looking VF's are a glut on the market. There are types that so rarely have half of the legends on flan that one with 75% is spectacular. There are many collectors who simply will not own an imperfect coin even if it is the best known specimen. They make up a sub-market catered to by a group of sellers I don't know well because I'm more the other type. These fads come and go. In the hobby as practiced 200 years ago, rarity was far more important than grade. Having coins no one else had was crucial. Today, having no coin below MS66 is a popular way of collecting even if every coin is so common that you can buy them by the bagful. We really have no idea where we will go next with this. Will we see 5th century bronzes slabbed with a new 'for the type' grading system based on how many letters on the coin can be read? Will we see increased popularity to people seeking coins that will grade poor 01? Will the respected expert be the one who can identify the coin from the least detail? Stay tuned.
All good points indeed. As far as I'm concerned, I'm only beginning to study the history and coinage of the Valentinian and Theodosian Dynasties, but I do have certain standards when it comes to collecting. I don't want a ratty example of a type just to have the type, but with some of these, 75% is indeed spectacular. The third will have to wait until tomorrow - I've got too many other things on my plate today.
both solid examples of some late LRB tidbits JA! here's on i picked up a few months ago, honorius with himself, acadius, and theo ii on the reverse. it's not bad for the type really. Honorius, AE4, 406-408 AD O: DN HONORI-VS PF AVG R:GLORI-A ROMA-NORVM; Honorius, Arcadius, and Thoedosus II ANT (A or Delta) in ex. Antioch mint 15 mm, 1.7g RIC X 153
I have the "budget" versions, but I am filling in the Emperors. I focus on Roman Republic, but acquiring many of the Emperors have REALLY shown me how the History of Rome from the Republic through the Empire has fluctuated in currency and the assumed wealth at those times. Looking at LRB's, I feel the Empire's real wealth was a shell of what it was compared to earlier days... at least as I observe the currencies...
Thank you for your help acquire the Roman Empire Album @dougsmit and @John Anthony , it has been fun and an education filling it in.
