Hello all! My son was given this roman coin as a gift. We were just wondering what emperor is on it, the story behind the reverse, date etc. Thank you so much!
Your coin has the Emperor Valens on the obverse (D N VALEN- S P F AVG) and the reverse is GLORIA ROMANORVM; Emperor dragging a captive. The mintmark is tough to make out, but it looks like it is from Siscia (modern day Sisak, Croatia) and was struck A.D. 364- 367. The reverse is a standard type of propaganda from the Roman Empire-- "Glory of the Romans" and their power over everyone. Ironically though, Valens was killed by Goths at the Battle of Adrianople in A.D. 378.
Thank you! That is awesome! My kid and I are very excited and happy to know the history behind this coin.
Your coin is similar to this one in my collection: VALENS AE3 OBVERSE: D N VALENS P F AVG, diademed draped & cuirassed bust right REVERSE: GLORIA ROMANORVM, emperor walking right, head left, holding labarum and dragging bound captive behind him, dot BSISC in ex. R in right field. Struck at Siscia 365 AD 2.1g, 19mm RIC 5b.7
Here is a siiqua of Valens. D N VALENS P F AVG “Our lord Valens, patriotic and dutiful Augustus” VRUS ROMA “City of Rome.” Roma seated on a throne, holding victory, resting on a spear or sceptre (sceptre—a staff or a baton emblematic of authority.)
