Code: 11808
This is an ancient Roman gold solidus of emperor Valentinian III dating to circa 440 - 450 AD
Obverse: DN PLA VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, "Our Lord Placidius Valentinianus, Pious and Blessed August" rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, "Victory of the Augusts" Valentinian standing facing, holding long cross and Victory on globe, foot placed on human-headed coiled serpent.
R-M either side for Rome and COMOB in ex. *
This is a superb example with a good portrait, the reverse has a weak strike to the head of Valentinian (perhaps struck from a clogged die), still a lovely example.
*The moneta comitatensis was a travelling mint attached to the imperial train wherever the Emperor was situated. A special mintmark COM for comitatus (or COMT.M) Most coins signed by the comitatensian mint also bear a supplementary abbreviation referring to the name of the town where the coin was actually struck in this case in Rome.
CULTURE: Roman
DENOMINATION: Solidus
MATERIAL: Gold
DATE: 425 - 455 AD (this coin minted in Rome between 440 - 450 AD)
MINTMARK: RM (Rome, Italy)
SIZE: 21mm diameter
WEIGHT: 4.42 grams
ATTRIBUTION: RIC X 2014; Depeyrot 46/1; DOCLR 850.
PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection. Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
