Hi all As some of you may be aware, one of my goals for this year was separating my Roman Empire coins from my Roman Republic coins. For the purposes of my collection (and others may have a different view), the Roman Empire (as a single Empire) dates from 27 BC to 395 AD (after of which, I intend to split the collection into WRE and ERE). Within these parameters, I managed to snag a Roman Empire solidus a few months ago now. It nearly got lost in the international COVID mail debacle, but finally arrived the other day. Valens, 364-378 solidus Specs: 20mm, 4.44g Mint: Treveri Obv: D N VALENS P F AVG Laurel-and-rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valens to right Rev: VICTOR-IA AVGG / TROBS Two emperors, crowned, seated facing on double-throne, holding a globe together; behind, Victory standing facing with wings spread; below, small palm branch. RIC 17e.4 I intend to finish the presentation of my Roman Empire collection over the weekend, and post the final product - but we shall see! I have also made good gains on my Roman Republic collection, but that's a separate post. Please feel free to share your Roman Empire solidi (whether they be united empire, WRE, or ERE)! AC
An absolutely lovely reverse! Too bad that Rev isn’t seen on a cheaper bronze... I’ll never be able to afford gold haha
A.C. Congrats on your new addition . I like the reverse composition on your coin. Below are some solidi I've posted before, but have another look .
I do not have solidi to show... probably a few years away. Congrats on the awesome coin. I do enjoy your posts and how you organize your collection and think about your next move. It makes me reflect on mine.. thank you!
Great coin of Valens. Here is my latest solidus, struck under the authority of Constantine the Great for Constantine II in Nicomedia. They really liked to have very similar names... quite a headache telling them apart. Constantine II was a boy of just nine in 325 CE. There are also solidi struck to honour the unfortunate Crispus, who was to be executed just a year later, in 326.
Marcian, Eastern Roman Empire AV solidus Obv: D N MARCIA-NVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross, star in right field Mint: Constantinople Mintmark: CONOB Date: 450-457 AD Ref: RIC 510 Size: 4.46 gr., 21 mm wide Really like the portrait on mine because to me Marcian’s face resembles that of Trajan. Perhaps on purpose to echo old Roman glory and greatness? Much needed during the 5th century I imagine!
That's quite the collection you have there @Al Kowsky ! I especially love the Theodosius II. Here I was thinking that I was doing well with my (now) two solidi Speaking of which, here is my favourite maligned Emperor Phocas: Thanks for your comments Pleased to hear that you like my posts about organising my collection. I do spend a decent amount of time trying to come up with logical ways of presenting and structuring it. Love your solidus @RichardT Another great solidus from Constantinople. Thanks for sharing
Glad you got a coin you wanted @Ancient Aussie VALENS AV Solidus OBVERSE: DN VALENS PER F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right REVERSE: RESTITVTOR REIPUBLICAE, Valens standing right, holding labarum in right hand & Victory on globe in left, cross to left. Mintmark star ANTE star Struck at Antioch, 364 AD 3.6g, 19mm Antioch RIC 2d,xxxvii-5
@AussieCollector, your solidus of Valens sent me all the way back to an old British Museum monograph. A penny of AElfred the Great imitates the reverse, apparently changing the emperors and Victory to saints and an angel. The BM website only has the obverse of this. ...Finally gave up, and just scanned the page. Last one. The monograph is Michael Dolley, Anglo-Saxon Pennies. (London /BM, 1964.) All he says in the text is "[...] but one of the most important of all English coins is a penny of AElfred [Pl. XI, 33] struck c. 880. The reverse is copied from that of a late Roman coin [...]." (P. 19.)
I have a few solidii: Honorius, Arcadius, Theodosius II, Marcian, Leo, Basiliscus. The bronze coinage at this stage of the empire is dull, so i upgrade to gold in my one-per-ruler series where i can.
Very nice! What were the parameters for your collection now that you consider it "complete?" I own a handful of solidii, all common types you can get for near melt value Zeno Justinian Phocas
Thanks Bing I'm stoked, I will ask AussieCollector to send it to me.....what the heck he's close enough I'll go and get it.