Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, Aes, Valens

About this objectThis bronze aes was minted in Arelatum, also known as Constantina, in modern day Arles, France.

The coin depicts a bust of the emperor Valens, facing right. He is draped and cuirassed, and wearing a pearl diadem. The pearl diadem replaced the laurel wreath in later Roman portraits. The cuirass show Valens in a military light. This is reinforced by the image of the figure of Victory holding the wreath and palm, shown on the reverse.

Flavius Julius Valens Augustus was emperor from 364-378 CE. He was appointed joint Augustus and ruler of the eastern provinces by his older brother Valentinian I. Despite his depiction on coins, he is considered to have had very little military ability, although he was a conscientious administrator. He died in the Battle of Adrianople.

Date Made367-375 CE

PeriodImperial (Roman)

Place MadeFrance

Place NotesArelate Mint (also known as Constantina)

Medium and MaterialsMetal: Bronze

Style and IconographyRoman

Inscription and MarksObverse:
DN VALEN-S PF AVG
(Dominus Noster Valens Pius Felix Augustus)
Our Lord Valens, dutiful and fortunate Augustus

Reverse:
SE[CVRIT]AS - REIPVBLICAE
Safety of the Republic

Mint mark: OF - I/I [C]ON
Arelate/Constantina Mint

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

MeasurementsWeight 1.91g
Diameter ca. 18mm

Subject and Association KeywordsKings and rulers in art

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsNumismatics

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Latin

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by MK Steven, 1996.

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number180.96.36

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved