Roman Gold Solidus of Valens

Obverse of Gold Solidus of Constantius II
Reverse of Gold Solidus of Constantius II

Flavius Julius Valens (364 - 378 A.D.)

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 364 A.D.

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 in 378. 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 jewellry in ancient times.

Price & Availability:-

Description	Grade	Price £	Price $	Availability
Gold Solidus of Valens 4.46g	aVF/Fine	£325	$Ask	Yes

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.

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