So Emperor Flavius Julius Valens Augustus was born in 328 CE in the Roman province of Sirmium. He was the younger brother of Emperor Valentinian I and son of Gratian the Elder. Unlike his brother though he was not a successful soldier and only joined the legions in time for the bloody Sassanid war of Julian II. When his brother was acclaimed Emperor after the death of Jovian in 364, Valens was appointed co-Emperor of the Roman Empire. Valens first assignment as Emperor was to snuff out the rebellion of the last scion of the Constantinian Dynasty, Procopius. After that he prepared to campaign against the Persians. A sort of "cold war" occurred with the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia between 365 and 375. In preparation for his war with Persia, Valens stripped the Danube frontier of many troops. Around this time though a nomadic horseman group called the Huns were putting pressure on tribes living north of the Danube. One tribal group who were fleeing the Huns were the goths. Led by their king Fritigern, they decided to flee from the Huns and asked Valens for asylum. Valens, who needed the extra troops to supplement his Army, gleefully agreed. What happened next can only be described as a disaster. When the goths crossed over the Danube they were not disarmed or dispersed (as per protocol) and the only Imperial troops in the area were Limitanei (border troops). To top things off, a Roman Comes (count) had abused the goths badly and tried to kill their leaders. The goths went berserk in the middle empire, with only border troops to protect them the Roman civilians were at the mercy of the goths. When Valens received the news of the disaster in the Balkans he probably thought "wait are these the same goths who are suppose to be supplying troops to the army for my Persian campaign? What the h%#}\ happened!?" Needless to say Valens was livid about the whole affair, he soon broke off his campaign against the Persians and was hellbent on bringing the goths back in line. Valens, who desperately need decisive victory to his name, ignored the advice of his generals to wait for reinforcements from Gratian. Unfortunately the ensuing battle at Adrianople was one of the worst Roman defeats since Decius's defeat/death in 251. The Romans lost two thirds of their army which included many good officers and tribunes. Valens body was never found, and it is likely that he died anonymous in the fray. 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." One Dux( duke) who did survive the battle though was a man named Magnus Maximus. Pictures So I actually purchased this coin as a christmas gift in 2015, but I just returned home so this is the first time I have actually laid eyes on it. It's also in a plastic tomb, and I have no intentions of cracking it out. Valens AR Siliqua, 367-375 AD. Constantinople. DN VALEN-S PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right VOT VX MVLT XX, in four lines within wreath. Mintmark C chi-rho S. RIC IX Constantinople 38b. Scarce. The Last stand of Emperor Valens Sources http://www.roman-empire.net/army/adrianople.html http://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Adrianople Thanks to Amellianus on deviant art for the wonderful(and sad) picture. Post your coins of Valens and Siliquae!
Thanks for the history on Valens' death. Awesome coin too. Shame about the porosity though, but even then, still a nice coin.
@M.M.> As always, a great write-up and my first history lesson for 2016. Very interesting and a very nice coin, too. Thanks M.M.
I always like to see that Goldie, Bing! Nice coins TC. Hopefully I should be getting back to basics (as far as coins go) this year.
The artist of that picture of the fallen emperor did a good job on the accuracy, and poignancy, of the that instant in time. The soldiers using the spada instead of a gladius, the chain mail instead of a lorica segmenta, proper helmet and shield. all indicate good research.
RIC 37b(2) The mintmark of your siliqua is in fact : (palm)C(chiro)S(laurel-wreath) 3 similar issues for Valentinian I (X/XX), Valens (X/XX) and Gratian (V/X)
Very good post and recent addition! I think I've brought these out before...but I'm bored so... 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 There is a missing star and the consensus was a mint error, left off by die engraver. Valens, AD 364-375 AE, 2.6g, 17.5mm, 12h, Thessalonica Obv.: DN VALEN-S PF AVG; pearl diademed, cuirassed, & draped bust right Rev.: GLORIA RO-MANORVM, O(?) in left field, dot over Δ in right field; emperor walking right, holding labarum and dragging bound captive In Ex.: TES The O looks like a wreath to me. Both of these coins were part of a lot which was my first ancient coin purchase back in Jan 2013, and were well worth the pittance I paid. They also have a cool CoinTalk pedigree!
Here it is : VALENS (364-378) - CONSTANTINOPLE - RIC IX 37b Silique, 367-375, S A/ D N VALENS-P F AVG Dominus Noster Valens pius Felix Augustus, Notre maître Valens Pieux et Heureux Auguste Buste à droite, drapé et cuirassé, tête diadémée (Perles). R/ VOT/X/MVLT/XX//(palme)C(chi-ro)SQ Votis decennalibus/Multis vicennalibus, Vœux pour le dixième anniversaire de règne et pour le vingtième à venir Légende en 4 lignes dans une couronne de lauriers fermée. Argent, Poids : 2.09 gr, Diamètre : 18.6 mm, axe des coins : 7h RIC IX 37b, RSC 96†d La monnaie est sur Nummus-Bible Fiche de la monnaie sur la base Siliquae
Very nice! Do you have a chi rho mint mark of Gratian or Valentinian I as well? Amellianus knows his stuff! He recently came out with a new painting of Valens at Adrianople. For more see http://amelianvs.deviantart.com/
Excellent write up Herr MM. Particularly noted the Dux Magnus Maximus survival of the horrific loss... Nice siliqua capture for Xmas! I have but one, and I seem to sometimes lose it among the foil tops on wine bottles.
I hear you on the wine bottles, Bacchus was generous to me this Saturnalia! Here is another of the great Amelianus's works. Valens at Adrianople after realizing the gothic calvary has arrived on the field. Amazing that the Dux (M.M) made it through that bloody mess.
You can find two coins give as fake with this mint mark. VALENS (364-378) - CONSTANTINOPLE A/ D N VALENS-P F AVG R/ VOT/VX/MVLT/XX//C(chi-ro)S Argent, Poids : 2.3 gr, Diamètre : 18.2 mm, axe des coins : 12h Faux moderne Commentaires : Faux moderne issu des atelier bulgare des années 1990-2000. Même coins de droit que la série des XXX/XXXX//SIRM : Même coin de revers que la n°1698 (Constance II). Enregistrée dans le Fake Report : http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-10769 CONSTANCE II ( 337-361) - CONSTANTINOPLE A/ D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG R/ VOT/VX/MVLT/XX//C(CHIRO)S Commentaires : Faux moderne issu des atelier bulgare des années 1990-2000. Même coin de revers que la n° 1598 (Valens)
Nice siliqua and great history behind it. For some reason I have no connection to Forvm this morning, I'll post pictures of mine later Q
Here they are, a siliqua and a rare AE1 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 Valens, AE1 Aquilea mint, AD 364 DN VALEN - S PF AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, Valens standing facing, head right, holding standard and victory. SMAQP at exergue 8.55 gr Ref : Cohen # 40 (100Fr), RIC #6b Q
