Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 96 5 May 2022
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Valens AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 372. Decennalia issue. D N VALENS PER F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA ROMANORVM, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, holding between them shield inscribed VOT X MVL XX in four lines; Christogram above, ANOBH in exergue. RIC IX 16d5; Depeyrot 38/3. 4.46g, 21mm, 6h.
Extremely Fine; light scratches to obverse.
The mintmark which appears on this solidus is formed of three parts. The first is an abbreviation identifying the mint ('AN' for Antioch) and the final part is the officina - in this case a single letter ('H') indicating one of a number of separate workshops operating within the mint. Following the mint name are the letters 'OB' which are believed to be an abbreviation of the word obryza - a word which refers to the testing of the purity of the gold. The word obryza first appears in Greek in the form chrysion obryzon, meaning 'refined gold', and in Latin as obrussa, meaning 'test'. Gold which passed the test might be called ad obrussam or ex obrussa. The inclusion of the letters 'OB' after the abbreviated name of the mint therefore attest to the purity of the metal of the coin itself.
Extremely Fine; light scratches to obverse.
The mintmark which appears on this solidus is formed of three parts. The first is an abbreviation identifying the mint ('AN' for Antioch) and the final part is the officina - in this case a single letter ('H') indicating one of a number of separate workshops operating within the mint. Following the mint name are the letters 'OB' which are believed to be an abbreviation of the word obryza - a word which refers to the testing of the purity of the gold. The word obryza first appears in Greek in the form chrysion obryzon, meaning 'refined gold', and in Latin as obrussa, meaning 'test'. Gold which passed the test might be called ad obrussam or ex obrussa. The inclusion of the letters 'OB' after the abbreviated name of the mint therefore attest to the purity of the metal of the coin itself.