|
Sale 72
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 4221
Valentinian I, AD 364-375. Silver Light Miliarense (4.3g). Minted at Trier, AD 367-375. D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG. Draped, cuirassed and pearl-diademed bust of Valentinian I right. Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCITVS. Emperor standing facing in military attire, holding vexillum and resting hand on grounded shield, TRPS in exergue. RIC 26(a); RSC 58b Kent-Hirmer pl. 154, 711. Sharply struck, with beautiful multi-hued iridescent toning. A spectacular coin. Rare. Superb Extremely Fine.
The last truly great Emperor of the West, Valentinian I was born in AD 321, rising through army ranks to become a general. He received a solid education and followed his father into the army, becoming a cavalry officer and winning distinction under Constantius II. His Christianity, however, 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 proclaimed Valentinian emperor on February 25, AD 364. Valentinian made Milan his provisional capital but spent most of his time on the German frontier. 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 and kept a trained bear which he employed to maul those who greatly displeased him. 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 apopletic 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.
This large silver piece, the miliarense, was struck at the important provincial capital of Trier near the German frontier. The portrait portrays Valentinian as stern, stocky and clean-shaven in the tradition of fourth century Christian emperors, while the reverse depicts him in a general's armor, holding a banner (or vexillum) emblazoned with the Christian chi-rho symbol.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 62, lot 2109; Ex Spink 5014, 28 September 2005, lot 498.
|
| |
| Realized $7,475 |
|
