I wonder if these two obverses represent the same Roman Emperor Valens. They look different to me. Please assist me to find out who they are . Thanks.. Charles
They are both Valens. And they can look different dependent on many factors. They could be struck from different mints, or different workshops within the same mint. They could just as easily been cut by different die cutters. Show the reverses so we can see the mintmarks.
There was only one emperor named Valens so it can't be anyone else. Google emperor Valens and you'll see.
http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1495826 Technically speaking the above henchman of Licinius is not even the only other Valens since there are mentions of (coinless) usurpers by that name in the time of Trajan Decius and Gallienus. The answers regarding mint, officina and individual cutter still stand but Valens was a more common name than we might realize.
When I was sorting through LRBs last year I had much trouble when I located one with clear "Valens" in the legend. I quickly found Valens in my little Sear book. There was only one coin listed under Valens & it was a close match to what I had. The coin was listed at several thousand dollars. Unfortunately, the listing was for a Valens fellow in A.D 314. When I posted this scenario here, you guys got me to look for the common Valens ca. 364-378. Yep, there was more than one guy named Valens.
On the subject of portrait variations ......I dont imagine the majority of subjects ever saw the Emperor....... how did they know what he looked like to engrave coins for him/her? I am guessing that people were sent with images drawn or carved to each official mint, or a master die? and the engravers did their best. Its odd to think, in the age of the internet and TV that images were not available at the touch of a button.
Thanks a lot . I hope we come to a conclusion. Here are the reverses of both coins. Just like on the obverse , the coin to the left is darker and a little bit bigger in size. The coin to the right is more yellow and sandy patina. Emperor Valens was more handsome than the usurper.
The top coin was struck at Thessalonica while the second I cannot make out. Can you read the letters at the bottom of the reverse on the second coin above?
I'm not certain at all, but I think I see SMK(?) on the second coin, making it from Cyzicus. If I am correct, both of these coins are listed as common.
AE3s would be my guess. AE1: over 25mm AE2: 21-25mm AE3: 17-21mm AE4: under 17mm This particular denomination of AE3 is sometimes referred to as a half follis.
Thanks. Despite being slightly bigger in size, the darker coin weighs 2.34 g. whereas the yellow Valens weighs 2.47 g. As for the mint mark, I can scarcely read SNXA. Hope I'm not very wrong. Charles
It would be SM, for Sacra Moneta, maybe N for Nicomedia or H for Heraclea. Sometimes it's difficult to discern between Roman H's and N's, even when they're not worn down. The Heraclea mint sometimes used a downward-slanting crossbar, which makes H look very much like N.
Man, I'm am not certain, but I believe I see a Rome mint SM Leaf R and either P, B, T or Q which would make it RIC IX 23. RIC lists it as rare. But remember, I am much less than certain.
