Ancient Rome Western Empire - AD 364-375 Valentinian I AV Solidus NGC AU

Valentinian I, Western Roman Empire (AD 364-375). AV solidus (21mm, 4.34 gm, 11h). NGC Strike: 5/5, Surface:  4/5. Thessalonica Mint, AD 364. Obverse: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Valentinian I right. Reverse: VICTOR-IA AVGG, Valentinian and Valens seated facing, the one on right holding mappa in left hand, the two together holding globe. Behind and between them, Victory stands with outspread wings; in exergue, SMTES. Reference: RIC IX 4a1. Quite scarce. This piece features well-detailed figures on the reverse.

"This frowning head [of Valentinian I] with staring eyes can be identified with accuracy by comparison with coins, and from a bronze head discovered in the early twentieth century at the Ponte Sisto in Rome. The most notable and identifying feature is the diadem he wears, which was introduced about forty years earlier as a mark of the Emperor." Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Photo: Wikimedia.org.

This coin was struck after March 28, 364, when he became emperor and made his younger brother Valens co-Augustus, giving him control of the East. Valentianian I chose the West, for it needed greater attention than the East. Valentinian made his capital in Milan, but was unable to live there, for he devoted his energy to frontier defense. In addition to campaigning in Britain, his main focus was stabilizing the Germanic nations. He was there for 7 years constructing fortifications and working to maintain the enmity between and among the Germanic nations. Additionally, Eastern Europe also became problematic, for Germans and Sarmatians crossed the Danube, attacking Raetia.

Valentinian needed to raise taxes to pay for military expenses. Since he and his family were from modest origins, he took care to prevent the tax burden from affecting the poor too severely. He also developed a political apparatus that enabled the poor to seek justice called the Defenders of the People. He was the father of Gratian, as well as Valentinian II. These two sons were born of different mothers. When his health was declining, Valentianian I, in 367, appointed his oldest son Gratian (at 8 years old) as co-Augustus in the West. He tied his dynasty to the army in the hope that when he died the military would support his legacy. He died in 375 of a stroke.