Valentinian II was emperor from 375-392 C.E. Raised to the purple as a four year old, he was in no position to dictate the affairs of state. As a result, he was heavily influenced by officials, generals mostly of barbaric descent, and his mother. This coin came from an uncleaned hoard and was only very slightly cleaned with distilled water, thus the desert patina remains. Valentinian II AE3 Obverse: Pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG Reverse: Roma enthroned, head left, holding spear and globe CONCORDIA AVGGG Please feel free to share your Valentinian II's here. Also, I find the mintmark indistinct, so if anyone can discern it, please advise as to the coin's mint. Thanks.
it's from Constantinople-- the mintmark is CONS[?]...the question mark representing the workshop which I can't make out.
Sad story this child emperor Valentinian II , rescued by Theodosius the great , who defeated usurper Magnus Maximus in 388 , but couldn't prevent the murder on Valentinian II at age 20. by one of his generals Arbogast, who was later also defeated by Theodosius. Theodosius became the last roman emperor of the entire Roman empire, but died 4 months later in 395. I think the kneeling female is Justina , mother of Valentinian II , giving him the imperial power, after taking care of her son untill he became an adult.
One can find very nice coins of Valentinian II's for usually decent prices. Here are a siliqua and probably the most appealling LRB in my collection : Valentinianus II, Siliqua Lyon mint, D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right VRBS ROMA, Roma seated left, holding victory and sceptre, LVGPS at exergue 1.88 gr Ref : Roman coins # 4158, Cohen# 76 Valentinianus II, AE2 struck in Constantinople, 4th officina D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust of Valentinian, holding spear in right hand GLORIA RO-MANORUM, Valentinain standing on a galley, driven by a victory, Wreath in field, CON delta at exergue 4.93 gr Ref : RIC # 52, Cohen #22, RC #4161, LRBC #2151 Q
This type was issued for all three Emperors at the time- Gratian, Theodosius I and Valentinian II, so I don't believe there is any refence to Val's mother. The reverse inscription also translates to "restoration of the republic" which is a good legend to accompany the kneeling, turreted female figure, who is actually Tyche, and represents the fortune of a city.
Here's mine Valentinian II 378 to 383 AD AE 3 Mint: Antioch Obvs: DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG Revs: CONCORDIA AVGGG, Roma seated. Θ Фk, ANTB 18mm, 2.6g
Valentinian II, AD 375-392 Æ4 (1.16g) of Siscia Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; BSIS in exergue RIC-9, 39a.2; Sear-20357.
Here's another Concordia example, this one from Siscia. It's described as "Roma seated . . ." but to me it looks almost like Roma is seated in front of a campgate. It's probably just a really pretentious throne, though: (Bronze) AE III Siscia mint, A.D. 378-383 Obv: D N VALENTINIANVS IVN P F AVG Rev: CONCO-R-DIA AVGGG - Roma seated, holding globe and reverse spear; left leg bare ASISC in exergue RIC 27(c) 18mm, 2.3g.
nice koins! i'm sure i have a few of this fellow in my box o LRB"s, but none ided yet.(it's only been 14 years or so)
