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CICF Signature Sale 3032 10-12 April 2014
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Valentinian I (AD 364-375). AV solidus (22mm, 4.45 gm, 6h). Milan, AD 364-367. DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian right, bust seen from front / RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, emperor standing facing, head right, holding in right hand vexillum emblazoned with chi-rho and in left hand Victory bearing wreath on globe; MED in exergue. RIC IX 2a (R3). Depeyrot 3/1. Cohen 28. Very rare and exceptional. Well struck and lustrous. NGC (photo-certificate) MS★ 5/5 - 4/5, edge mark. Ex Stack's (New York, 7 December 1989), lot 2956.The last truly great Emperor of the West, Valentinian I was born in AD 321 to a Pannonian soldier of peasant stock. He received a solid education and followed his father into the army, becoming a cavalry officer and winning distinction under Constantius II. His Christianity alienated him from the pagan Julian II and he was demoted and banished to Egypt in the early 360s. After Julian's defeat and death in Persia in AD 363, his successor Jovian recalled Valentinian and placed him in command of the elite Scholarian Guard. Upon Jovian's death only a few months later, leaders of the Roman army met 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 Valentinian 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. Concerned that the burden of taxation was falling too heavily upon the poor, he appointed officers called "Protectors of the People" who made sure the rich paid their fair share. Though the Senatorial class deeply resented him as an uncultured brute, Valentinian possessed a firm understanding of administration as well as an appreciation for art and literature. He also followed a policy of strict religious tolerance, unlike rulers before and after him. He did, however, have a ferocious temper. 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.From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection
Estimate: 2000-2750 USD
Valentinian I (AD 364-375). AV solidus (22mm, 4.45 gm, 6h). Milan, AD 364-367. DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian right, bust seen from front / RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE, emperor standing facing, head right, holding in right hand vexillum emblazoned with chi-rho and in left hand Victory bearing wreath on globe; MED in exergue. RIC IX 2a (R3). Depeyrot 3/1. Cohen 28. Very rare and exceptional. Well struck and lustrous. NGC (photo-certificate) MS★ 5/5 - 4/5, edge mark. Ex Stack's (New York, 7 December 1989), lot 2956.The last truly great Emperor of the West, Valentinian I was born in AD 321 to a Pannonian soldier of peasant stock. He received a solid education and followed his father into the army, becoming a cavalry officer and winning distinction under Constantius II. His Christianity alienated him from the pagan Julian II and he was demoted and banished to Egypt in the early 360s. After Julian's defeat and death in Persia in AD 363, his successor Jovian recalled Valentinian and placed him in command of the elite Scholarian Guard. Upon Jovian's death only a few months later, leaders of the Roman army met 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 Valentinian 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. Concerned that the burden of taxation was falling too heavily upon the poor, he appointed officers called "Protectors of the People" who made sure the rich paid their fair share. Though the Senatorial class deeply resented him as an uncultured brute, Valentinian possessed a firm understanding of administration as well as an appreciation for art and literature. He also followed a policy of strict religious tolerance, unlike rulers before and after him. He did, however, have a ferocious temper. 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.From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection
Estimate: 2000-2750 USD