Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 536 12 Apr 2023
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Valens. AD 364-378. AR Argenteus (16mm, 2.90 g, 6h). Quinquennalia issue. Constantinople mint, 1st officina. Struck AD 364-367. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust left / VOT/ V in two lines within wreath with large central jewel; CONSA. RIC IX 11e.1; RSC 87a. Light iridescent toning, a few edge marks. Good VF. Rare left facing bust.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group inventory (April 2000).
Although the silver siliqua had been reduced from about three grams to two circa 355 AD, the emperor Valens issued a somewhat heavier coin from Constantinople in the years 364-367 AD, to stand in inconvenient relationship with the mass of the silver coinage in circulation. (It must have been very confusing to the people of the times, as the coin is only slightly larger in appearance than a regular reduced siliqua). For want of a better term, modern scholars apply the name argenteus to this heavier siliqua.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group inventory (April 2000).
Although the silver siliqua had been reduced from about three grams to two circa 355 AD, the emperor Valens issued a somewhat heavier coin from Constantinople in the years 364-367 AD, to stand in inconvenient relationship with the mass of the silver coinage in circulation. (It must have been very confusing to the people of the times, as the coin is only slightly larger in appearance than a regular reduced siliqua). For want of a better term, modern scholars apply the name argenteus to this heavier siliqua.