Came across another ebay coin that I put away years ago because I was not 100% sure of the identification (maybe 90%). It's a siliqua of Valentinian I or II with the reverse VOT XV MVLT XX in wreath, SISCPS in exergue; six pointed star above at top of wreath. Obverse is DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG (unbroken). It's definitely larger than a typical siliqua at 18mm and 2.8gms. From my little bit of research it appears the average siliqua of either Emperor weighs 1.7 to 2.1gms. I bought it as a Valentinian I type based on the legend but looking through RIC IX under Siscia I found no. 19c-2 which is Val II with the six pointed star above and the same unbroken obverse legend. They refer to this coin as a siliqua but it seems to me to be somewhat larger than what I am used to seeing. Hoping someone could help identify it properly. Here's the pic:
That portrait is very young and weak compared to what we expect from Valentinian I. The legend is continuous rather than broken at the top as common for senior rulers. I am away from home so can not look it up but would say there is about a 100% chance you are right about this being Valentinian II. My only Valentinian II siliqua is from Aquileia after he was older and used the split legend so it really has no reason for being posted here.
That's kind of why I think it's Val II as shown in RIC. Problem is I can't find another one to compare it to. BTW, it's definitely real.
Previous posters are right. The unbroken legend makes it Valentinian II. Is it not in King's volume 5 of Roman Silver Coins? (I am away from my books right now.)
Thanks Q: Unfortunately I don't have that book (it's now next on my buy list). Does it happen to mention a range of weights and is it referred to as a 1.5 siliqua? Also is the large dot to the left of "SISCPS" mentioned?
They refer to it as a siliqua (the whole Val II catalogue is defined as "siliquae unless otherwise specified") and there's no dot on the left of the mintmark in the description (descriptions are very basic in that book) Hope that helps Q
Thanks again Q. It's odd, RIC acknowledges heavier siliqua in the Valentinian/Valentinian II series and if you look at the very basic Van Meter book he calls out siliqua and 1.5 siliqua for VOT XV MVLT XX types of Val I, but only lists 1.5 siliqua for Val II. This 2.8 gm coin fits very nicely into a 1.5 siliqua. There's some truth out there somewhere.
It's a modern false one (same dies as mine) Silique, Faux moderne A/ D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG Dominus Noster Valentinianus Pius Felix Augustus, Notre Seigneur Valentinien Pieux Heureux Auguste Buste à droite, drapé et cuirassé, diadémé (Perles). R/ VOT/XV/MVLT/XX//•SISCPS Votis quinqennalia multis vigintinnalia., Vœux pour le quinzième anniversaire de règne et plus pour le vingtième à venir. Légende en 4 lignes dans une couronne de lauriers fermée. La monnaie est sur Nummus-Bible Commentaires : Achetée (puis remboursée sans discussion) dans une grande vente aux enchères de monnaies anciennes (L.A.C. IX - février 2012). Poids généralement observé autour de 2.8 gr. Lien vers le fake report ForgeryNetwork la classe aussi comme un faux moderne Fiche de la monnaie sur la base Siliquae
