Ancient Roman Gold Solidus – Emperor Gratian (AD 368)

Description

ROMAN EMPIRE. Gratian.
Gold Solidus, AD 368. Antioch.
Obv: D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: SPES R P, Valentinian I and Valens seated facing, each holding scepter and globe; small figure of Gratian standing facing between, shield inscribed VOT V MVL X in four lines above, ANTI+ in exergue.

Good Very Fine; clipped, obverse scratches.

Very Rare.

From the Euclidean Collection (collector’s ticket included).

A fascinating reverse struck for Valens’ quinquennalia in AD 368, with the elder Augusti, the brothers Valens and Valentinian I, seated on their thrones, and Valentinian’s son Gratian, eight years old at the time, standing between them in his toga and described as the ‘Spes Rei Publicae’ or ‘hope of the Republic’.

Reference: RIC IX-20g; Depeyrot-32/5.
Weight: 3.91g.
Diameter: 20mm.
Die Axis: 6h.