Are Gold Solidi of the Mid 4th Century Valens period pure Gold

[Phillipe C]

What is the purity Level of the Gold Solidus of the time of Valens?

[SC]

Valentinian instituted a reform that brought in a very high purity level - circa 99%.

There might have been a few coins struck for him and his brother Valens prior to his reform, and thus at the lower fineness level of 95%, but I am not certain.  However, even if this is the case the vast majority were post-reform, at the higher level.

An interesting related article is:

https://www.academia.edu/370211/Roman_Gold_and_Hun_Kings_the_use_and_hoarding_of_solidi_in_the_late_fourth_and_fifth_centuries


Shawn

[rasiel]

What is the purity Level of the Gold Solidus of the time of Valens?

Pretty much 100% except for trace levels!

Ras