Late Roman Bronze Coin Help Please !

[Christopher J]

Hello All

Can I tax the collective knowledge in identifying this Roman bronze coin.  I found it in a field in West Suffolk UK and would be very interested in learning more about it.  Probably of little value, but to me priceless !

Thanks and Regards to all
Chris

[shanxi]

The reverse shows the emperor dragging captive and holding labarum.

Unfortunately there are several possible emperors and I can't read enough to decide: Gratian, Valentinian, Valens and some more


Therfore, as an example only:

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5994521


Better pictures might help.

[Christopher J]

Thanks very much for the response Shanxi, much appreciated.
The piece is actually quite heavily corroded, and the features are only visible by introducing side light to emphasise the features, so I think this is about the best definition I can get.

It would appear then that this is a late circa 305 to 400 AD then.  There was considerable Roman activity in the area of the find during this period, so not entirely surprising !

If anyone has any further suggestions they would be most welcome !

Thanks and Regards
Chris

[djmacdo]

A good brushing with a nylon brush will not harm the coin and may make details much clearer.

[SC]

Luckily you can narrow down the mint.  The field marks is O/F/II which stands for the second officina (or workshop).  This is only found on these coins when struck at Lyons/Lugdunum or Arles/Arelate (known as Constantina at the time).  The mint mark in the bottom should therefore contain either the letters LVG or CON among others.

SC

[Joe Sermarini]

Here are some on Forum....

https://tinyurl.com/u8t7cf9

[Christopher J]

WOW.... thanks guys, really appreciate the information.  Impressive stuff !

I have gently cleaned the coin before posting, and regretfully I don't think its going to be any clearer.   

Dare I say that the bust is VALENS ?.... the outline seems to fit others from this emperor.

[Christopher J]

I am probably being over cautious with my cleaning; worried about damaging it   

[SC]

By this time the bust will not reveal differences between Valens, Valentinian I, and even Gratian.  Differences are more due to mint and engraver than Emperor they were trying to portray.

Your key clue will be the letters that remain....

SC

[Christopher J]

By this time the bust will not reveal differences between Valens, Valentinian I, and even Gratian.  Differences are more due to mint and engraver than Emperor they were trying to portray.

Your key clue will be the letters that remain....

SC

Thanks again Shawn

Looks like I need to clean a bit more and see if anything can be revealed.

I'll post results !

[Christopher J]

Here are some more shots - after some further cleaning and with various lighting angles

[Christopher J]

More

Don't think these are going to help much !.... but hope springs eternal.

Thanks

[SC]

If you carefully at the obverse legend you can see (at roughly 9h to 11h) ALENTI.  This means it must be Valentinian (DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG).

SC

[Christopher J]

WOW !...… yes, you are right.  Now that you have mentioned it studying in the flesh its a bit clearer and I can make out the letters.

Thanks so much.  Job done (!) and I'm delighted that the id can finally be wrapped up.  How this coin came to be 18 inches down in a Suffolk field is another story (if only they could speak).

Thanks all for contributing - and especially SC for persisting.

Regards
Chris