Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;RichardT, post: 4202278, member: 100005&quot;]Hi all,</p><p><br /></p><p>Like to share my first solidus for the year, weighs 4.47g. A coin struck for Valens shortly after after the coinage reform of circa Feb 368. For those interested, Valentinian (brother of Valens) decreed that gold collected as taxes was to be melted and refined before acceptance. Gold subsequently issued by the Roman state was marked with the formula Obryzum (OB), or refined gold. Effectively the state was guaranteeing the purity of the gold coinage.</p><p><br /></p><p>You might be more familiar with the much more common formula CONOB which refers to refined gold (OB) minted in Constantinople (CON). The mint mark of ANOB here indicates that this solidus was struck in Antioch. The Greek theta refers to the numbered division of the mint (officinae) responsible.</p><p><br /></p><p>The engraving of this solidus is very appealing to me. The reverse design closely follows the solidi of Constantius II and features Roma and Constantinopolis seated holding a shield engraved with Vota numbers.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think the photo is a little overexposed though. I will have to try and reshoot it another day.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1077677[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in