Beautifully Toned Gratian Miliarense
792. Gratian AR Miliarense. Sisica, 367-375 AD (1st officina). DN GRATIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS, Gratian standing slightly right, head left, holding labarum and round shield set on ground; •SISCP in exergue. RIC IX 10c; RSC 53†b. 24mm, 4.42g, 1h. Very Rare. Good Extremely Fine.
3,000
Beautifully toned example of this rare type that represents one of the last great flourishes of Roman coinage. When Valentinian I died in 375 AD, Gratian’s younger brother Valentinian II was proclaimed Augustus by the now mostly barbaric foederati army. Due to Valentinian II being just five years old, Gratian acquiesced, though in reality power remained in his hands. In 378 his uncle Valens was killed at the Battle of Adrianople, delivering control of the East into Gratian’s hands. Feeling unable to rule alone, Gratian raised Theodosius to the purple. A revolt by Magnus Maximus caused Gratian to be deserted by his troops, and fleeing to Lyon, he was captured and killed.
793. Gratian AR Miliarense. Trier, 367-375 AD. DN GRATIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS, Gratian standing facing, head left, holding signum in right hand, placing left hand on shield set on ground; TRPS• in exergue. RIC IX 26e; RSC 52†b. 4.51g, 25mm, 1h. Good Extremely Fine. Attractive old tone.
2,000
Ex Mark Poncin Collection; Ex Triton X, 9 January 2007, lot 803; Ex Lanz 120 18 May 2004, lot 594; Ex Auctiones 23, 17 June 1993, lot 622.
794
795
794. Gratian AR Siliqua. Constantinople, 367-375 AD. DN GRATIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VOT V MVLT X in wreath; (palm) C (Christogram) S (wreath) in exergue. RIC 36e; C. 66. 2.08g, 19mm, 1h. Scarce. Fleur De Coin.
500
795. Gratian AR Siliqua. Trier, 367-375 AD. DN GRATIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, & cuirassed bust right / VRBS ROMA, Roma seated left holding spear and Victory on globe; TRPS• in exergue. RIC 27f. 2.10g, 18mm, 11h. Extremely Fine. Beautiful lustre with hints of iridescent tone on obverse. Much more attractive in hand.
218
200