Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 4 13 August 2015
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Valentinian I (AD 364-375). AV solidus (22mm, 4.44 gm, 12h). Antioch, AD 367-375. DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian right, bust seen from front / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory seated right on cuirass, shield behind, holding in her lap and inscribing shield with VOT/X/MVL/XX, chi-rho in lower right filed, AN OBΘ in exergue. RIC IX 22b2 (R3). Cohen 49. Very rare reverse type. Well struck and attractive. NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5.The last truly great Emperor of the West, Valentinian I was born in AD 321 to a Pannonian soldier of peasant stock. Following his father's path, he attained officer's rank and eventually won command of the elite Scholarian Guard. Upon the unexpected death of Jovian, the Roman army proclaimed Valentinian emperor on February 25, AD 364. Valentinian appointed his younger brother Valens co-emperor and placed him in charge of the East, while he himself took command of the more seriously threatened West. Valentinian made Milan his provisional capital but spent most of his time on the German frontier strengthening fortifications and battering barbarian tribes into submission. Though the Senatorial class deeply resented him, Valentinian possessed a firm understanding of administration as well as an appreciation for art and literature. He also followed a policy of religious tolerance. After eleven successful years of rule, Valentinian's temper got the better of him during an audience with several Germanic chieftains in November AD 375. When they failed to show him proper respect, the emperor flew into a rage and suffered an apoplectic stroke. His death proved a great tragedy for the Empire, as a man of his skill and energy might have averted the catastrophes that soon followed.
Estimate: 4000-5000 USD
Valentinian I (AD 364-375). AV solidus (22mm, 4.44 gm, 12h). Antioch, AD 367-375. DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian right, bust seen from front / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory seated right on cuirass, shield behind, holding in her lap and inscribing shield with VOT/X/MVL/XX, chi-rho in lower right filed, AN OBΘ in exergue. RIC IX 22b2 (R3). Cohen 49. Very rare reverse type. Well struck and attractive. NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5.The last truly great Emperor of the West, Valentinian I was born in AD 321 to a Pannonian soldier of peasant stock. Following his father's path, he attained officer's rank and eventually won command of the elite Scholarian Guard. Upon the unexpected death of Jovian, the Roman army proclaimed Valentinian emperor on February 25, AD 364. Valentinian appointed his younger brother Valens co-emperor and placed him in charge of the East, while he himself took command of the more seriously threatened West. Valentinian made Milan his provisional capital but spent most of his time on the German frontier strengthening fortifications and battering barbarian tribes into submission. Though the Senatorial class deeply resented him, Valentinian possessed a firm understanding of administration as well as an appreciation for art and literature. He also followed a policy of religious tolerance. After eleven successful years of rule, Valentinian's temper got the better of him during an audience with several Germanic chieftains in November AD 375. When they failed to show him proper respect, the emperor flew into a rage and suffered an apoplectic stroke. His death proved a great tragedy for the Empire, as a man of his skill and energy might have averted the catastrophes that soon followed.
Estimate: 4000-5000 USD