Aurelian Antoninianus EF

Born about A.D. 328 Valens was the younger brother of the emperor Valentinian I. Trusted with the rule of the eastern provinces of the Empire, he spent much of his reign campaigning against the Goths and the Persians. In A.D. 376 Valens allowed the Gothic tribes to cross the Danube frontier and settle in Roman territory. But as a result of terrible treatment from the Roman Administrators (against Valen’s express orders), the Goths rebelled. Valens attacked prematurely, rushing into ‘The Battle of Adrianople’ unorganised. He was killed and his army almost wiped out! This loss meant the end of the traditional Roman Empire had begun. Valens was not gifted in war but cared for the general populace, relaxing taxes for the poor and living moderately. We offer his bronze coins showing his bust on the obverse and the emperor dragging a barbarian captive on the reverse. The reverse legend ‘GLORIA ROMANORVM’ refers to Valens as ‘The Glory of the Romans’ against the barbarians. Sadly, for him and his army, it appears the barbarians had the glory. These grade Very Fine, for the Glory of the Romans!

Diocletian was born of humble origin around A.D. 245 in Dalmatia near Split and rose through the ranks of the military to high command. He manoeuvred his way to be emperor of the Roman Empire in A.D. 284 then appointed an old army colleague, Maximian, as co-emperor. Diocletian then settled the problem of succession by appointing two junior Caesars, bringing stability after 60 years of chaos. He spent much of his reign campaigning and overhauled the tax system, reforming the coinage in an attempt to counter inflation. Unlike any emperor before or after he voluntarily abdicated in A.D. 305 and retired to his palace in Split, dying there in A.D. 311. The coins we offer here are Bronze Antoninianus in a Fine grade with various reverses showing gods and goddesses. Own a coin of this pivotal emperor who saved and then paved the way for the survival of the empire.