Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Valerius Valens, 316 – 317.
Follis, Cyzicus circa 316-317, Æ 3.34 g. IMP C AVR VAL VALENS P F AVG Laureate head r. Rev. IOVI CONS – ERVATORI Jupiter standing l., chlamys across l. shoulder, holding sceptre and Victory on globe; at feet, eagle with wreath in beak. In field r., VI and in exergue, SKM. C –. Carson, NC 1958, p. 57 and pl. VI, b (authentic issue in Berlin). RIC 7.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue.
Dark tone and about extremely fine
Valerius Valens was among Rome's less fortunate emperors, as there was little time or cause for celebration during his three-month reign, and his execution was swift and unceremonious. Historians should rightly describe this Valens as "Valens I" since a later Valens (who should be "Valens II"), ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 364-378. By comparison, the Julian who reigned from 360-363 is called "Julian II" because the usurper Julian of Pannonia reigned before him, in 284-285. The first civil war between Licinius and Constantine I began poorly for Licinius: his army was narrowly defeated at Cibalae on October 8, 316, which sent him into a retreat. In a hasty move either at Cibalae or while on the run, Licinius declared Valerius Valens, one of his frontier generals, emperor in place of Constantine, whom he symbolically deposed. Constantine's relentless pursuit ended in a truce by which Constantine gained control of much of the Balkans and claimed for himself the title of Senior Augustus. His third condition was that Valens be deposed; Licinius exceeded his demand by executing Valens. Whether this was a demonstration of good faith or a convenient excuse to remove a potential rival is not known. During the fighting retreat from Constantine, copper nummi were struck for Valens at Cyzicus and Alexandria. In type and style they were identical to the companion coins of Licinius I, with little more than the inscription to distinguish them. At Cyzicus, all eight officinae were striking for Licinius, and it is possible that all eight were also striking for Valens. At present, however, RIC documents only the sixth officina, and this specimen confirms the first officina.
Follis, Cyzicus circa 316-317, Æ 3.34 g. IMP C AVR VAL VALENS P F AVG Laureate head r. Rev. IOVI CONS – ERVATORI Jupiter standing l., chlamys across l. shoulder, holding sceptre and Victory on globe; at feet, eagle with wreath in beak. In field r., VI and in exergue, SKM. C –. Carson, NC 1958, p. 57 and pl. VI, b (authentic issue in Berlin). RIC 7.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue.
Dark tone and about extremely fine
Valerius Valens was among Rome's less fortunate emperors, as there was little time or cause for celebration during his three-month reign, and his execution was swift and unceremonious. Historians should rightly describe this Valens as "Valens I" since a later Valens (who should be "Valens II"), ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 364-378. By comparison, the Julian who reigned from 360-363 is called "Julian II" because the usurper Julian of Pannonia reigned before him, in 284-285. The first civil war between Licinius and Constantine I began poorly for Licinius: his army was narrowly defeated at Cibalae on October 8, 316, which sent him into a retreat. In a hasty move either at Cibalae or while on the run, Licinius declared Valerius Valens, one of his frontier generals, emperor in place of Constantine, whom he symbolically deposed. Constantine's relentless pursuit ended in a truce by which Constantine gained control of much of the Balkans and claimed for himself the title of Senior Augustus. His third condition was that Valens be deposed; Licinius exceeded his demand by executing Valens. Whether this was a demonstration of good faith or a convenient excuse to remove a potential rival is not known. During the fighting retreat from Constantine, copper nummi were struck for Valens at Cyzicus and Alexandria. In type and style they were identical to the companion coins of Licinius I, with little more than the inscription to distinguish them. At Cyzicus, all eight officinae were striking for Licinius, and it is possible that all eight were also striking for Valens. At present, however, RIC documents only the sixth officina, and this specimen confirms the first officina.