AD 378 Gold Solidus of Valens Coin - Graded aVF/Fine
This coin is the etymological origin of the word 'soldier' as it is believed that these coins were minted primarily to pay soldiers serving in the Roman Army.
Valens was the younger brother of Valentinian, who proclaimed him co-emperor when he himself was proclaimed emperor by his troops following the death of Jovian in AD 364.
During his reign as Emperor of the East (Valentinian was the Emperor of the West), Valens had to contend with a revolt by a usurper, Procupius, which was put down in 366, and from rebellious Goths. This internal instability ruined his plans for a grand campaign against the Persians, and in the last of these revolts, in 378, Gothic forces under Fritigen defeated and killed Valens at the Battle of Hadrianople. This notorious defeat of Roman Forces by barbarian tribesmen has often been taken as evidence of the decline of the Roman Empire, although the fact that it took place in the Eastern Empire, which survived until 1453, rather than the West, which was destroyed in the following century would seem to negate this theory.
The featured coin is a gold solidus, this coin is the etymological origin of the word 'soldier' as it is believed that these coins were minted primarily to pay soldiers serving in the Roman Army. Evidence of mounting at the top of the obverse, although gold coins were a popular as jewellery in ancient times.
The obverse shows the portrait of Flavius Julius Valens
The reverse shows the emperor holding a vexillum, and a globe supporting Victory, the Roman goddess of victory.
Metal | Gold |
Gold Weight Troy Ounces | 0.143 |
Obverse Designer | Unknown |
Reverse Designer | Unknown |
Issuing Monarch | Valens (AD 364 - 378) |
Country | Roman Empire |
Date | Obverse | Reverse | Price |
---|---|---|---|
18 March 2024 | aVF | Fine | £800.00 |
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Bullion coins are provided as is and on occasion may have some minor scratches or edge knocks. These are not regarded as faulty or damaged goods as their precious metal content and value as a bullion coin is not affected. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.
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