Valens Siliqua

Hi folks!
I found this Valens Siliqua at a price I could not resist.
Interestingly enough, emissions of Siliquae in the Eastern Empire drastically fell after Valens death in 378, how odd?

Valens. AD 364-378. AR Siliqua (1,84g). Antioch mint. Struck AD 367-375. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VOT/ X/ MVLT/ XX in four lines within wreath; ANT. RIC IX 34b.1; RSC 96†e. Good VF.

I think I did very well as far as price goes, another dealer was selling an obverse and reverse die match for $200.

From Socrates of Constantinople on the death of Emperor Valens:
"Some have asserted that he was burnt to death in a village whither he had retired, which the barbarians assaulted and set on fire. But others affirm that having put off his imperial robe he ran into the midst of the main body of infantry; and that when the cavalry revolted and refused to engage, the infantry were surrounded by the barbarians, and completely destroyed in a body. Among these it is said the Emperor fell, but could not be distinguished, in consequence of his not having on his imperial habit."
Please post your coins of poor Emperor Valens!

RIP Valens

 

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Awesome new score, Mag-Max (yummy ... congrats)

Hmmm, Valens eh? ... I don't think I've got too much in that category?! (*yikes*)






*whatev* ... no judging!!

 

Very nice MM, i need to get a good Siliqua!

 

Congrats on the new addition to your collection. A siliqua is one of those coins I've been wanting to add to my pile for awhile now. I finally managed to recently, and coincidentally, it also happens to be a Valens .

I don't have it in hand yet, so these are the seller's pics.


VALENS
AR Siliqua
2.01g, 18mm
Trier mint, 1st officina, AD 367-375
RIC IX 27b and 46a.1
O: DN VALEN-S PF AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: VRBS ROMA, Roma seated left on throne, holding crowning Victory on globe and scepter; TRPS dot in exergue.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys.
@zumbly Very nice!
Here is mine from the Trier mint

Valens, 364-378 AD. AR Siliqua, 18 mm, 2.21 gm. Treveri mint. Struck 367-375 AD. Obv: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Roma seated left on throne, holding scepter and crowning Victoriola.

 

Beautiful coin MM.

 

@Bing Always nice to see that Goldie
@SIliquae Do you know why production of Siliquae nearly flat lined in the Eastern Roman Empire after Valens death in 378? I have not yet found a good reason yet

 

The fact that others (his generals and administrators) basically caused the revolt for him gains my sympathy for Valens, but not him getting himself killed by not waiting on Gratian and his troops. I feel more bad for the majority of the Eastern army that died for Valens' desire for all of the glory.

Nice coin BTW.

 

I can agree with you. Valens should have waited for Gratian's Generals and Army. Perhaps he was trying to prove that he could win a battle for once in his life. It was an un necessary disaster, I suppose the only bright side of this is that the Western Army was not destroyed and that the East at least got an Emperor who knew how to win battles.

 

M.M. I love those Siliquae of yours. Here are a couple of (ordinary) follis of mine.

 

Ordinary or not, they are still nice coins!

 

Nice one, magnus maximus !!
I've the same issue:

A/ D N VALENS-P F AVG
R/ VOT/X/MVLT/XX//ANT
Argent, Poids : 2.15 gr, Diamètre : 18.2 mm, axe des coins : 6h
RIC IX 34b(01), RSC 96†e
La monnaie est sur Nummus-Bible
Fiche de la monnaie sur la base Siliquae

 

Thanks Siliqua, I can say the same about your coin!
I have a question for you though-
Do you know why production of Siliquae nearly flat lined in the Eastern Roman Empire after Valens death in 378?

 

Nice silver all around
Here's mine


Valens, Siliqua Treveri mint
DN VALENS PF AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
VRBS ROMA, Roma seated left, holding victory and sceptre, TRPS at exergue
2.15 gr
Ref : Cohen # 109, Roman coins # 4113

Q

 

Valens


Valens, AD 364-378
AE, 3.1g, 18.5mm; 6h; Siscia
Obv.: DN VALEN-S PF AVG; pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev.: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICAE, F in in left field, M in right field; Victory advancing right holding wreath in right hand and palm in left
In Ex.: ASISC
It is missing a star, and the fine folks here have led me to believe it was left off accidentally by the engraver.


AE, 2.6g, 17.528mm, 12h, Thessalonica
Obv: DN VALEN-S PF AVG; pearl diademed, surpassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA RO_MANORVM; emperor walking right, head left, holding labrum and dragging bound captive. O in left field, dot over delta in right field
In Ex: TES