| Gratian, 24 August 367 - 25 August 383 A.D. |  |
|
|   | In 380, Rome's enemies the Germans, Sarmatians and Huns were taken into Imperial service; barbarian leaders began to play an increasingly active role in the Roman Empire. |
| RL57005. Bronze AE 2, RIC IX 40a1, LRBC 2712, VF, weight 4.465 g, maximum diameter 24.3 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch mint, 378 - 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right holding spear and shield; reverse GLORIA ROMANORVM, Emperor standing facing in galley, head right, raising right hand, cloak flying behind, Victory at helm, wreath left, ANTB in ex; scarce; $100.00 (€77.00) |
|  | Gratian aroused the contempt and resentment of his Roman troops by taking a bodyguard of barbarian Alans and appeared in public in the dress of a Scythian warrior. General Magnus Maximus took advantage of this feeling to raise a revolt in Britain and invaded Gaul with a large army. Gratian, who was then in Paris, was deserted by his troops and fled to Lyon where he was delivered by the governor to rebel general, Andragathius, and assassinated on 25 August 383. |
| BB59646. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 46(a)2, VF, weak centers, weight 1.564 g, maximum diameter 19.5 mm, die axis 0o, 5th officina, Antioch mint, 9 Aug 378 - 25 Aug 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA AVGGG, Constantinopolis enthroned facing, globe in right, spear in left, right leg bare, Q - F / K flanking across field, ANTE in ex; $28.00 (€21.56) |
|  | On 27 February 380, Theodosius I, Gratian and Valentinian II issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which declared their wish that all Roman citizens convert to trinitarian Christianity, in accordance with the patriarchs of Rome and Alexandria and rejecting the Arianism of the patriarch of Constantinople. |
| BB58186. Bronze AE 4, RIC IX 58(a), VF, weight 1.208 g, maximum diameter 14.7 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 9 Aug 378 - 25 Aug 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VOT / XX MVLT / XXX in wreath, ANTA in ex; scarce; $27.00 (€20.79) |
|  | Gratian aroused the contempt and resentment of his Roman troops by taking a bodyguard of barbarian Alans and appeared in public in the dress of a Scythian warrior. General Magnus Maximus took advantage of this feeling to raise a revolt in Britain and invaded Gaul with a large army. Gratian, who was then in Paris, was deserted by his troops and fled to Lyon where he was delivered by the governor to rebel general, Andragathius, and assassinated on 25 August 383. |
| BB52056. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 17(a), F, cleaning scratches, weight 3.098 g, maximum diameter 19.4 mm, die axis 0o, Cyzicus mint, 9 Aug 378 - 25 Aug 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA AVGGG, Roma seated facing, head left, globe in right, spear in left, cross right, SMKB in ex; scarce; $24.00 (€18.48) |
|  | In 375, Gratian, advised by his chief advisor Ambrosius, began a systematic presecution of pagans. He confiscated the fortunes of the temples and added the money to the Imperial Treasury. |
| BB52971. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 14(c)xvi, LRBC 1328, aVF, weight 1.978 g, maximum diameter 17.3 mm, die axis 180o, Siscia mint, 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse GLORIA RO-MANORVM, Emperor standing right, forcing barbarian to kneel with right, labarum (Chi-Rho standard) in left, M left, * / F right, GSISC in ex; $22.00 (€16.94) |
|  | In 381, Gratian moved the capital to Mediolanum (modern Milan). Because of his Christian beliefs, he eliminated Pontifex Maximus as an Imperial title. Gratian also refused the robe of office, insulting the pagan aristocrats of Rome. |
| BB52884. Bronze AE 4, RIC IX 20(a): LRBC 1957, F, weight 1.028 g, maximum diameter 13.6 mm, die axis 180o, Heraclea mint, 378 - 383 AD; obverse D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VOT / XX MVLT / XXX in wreath, SMHA in ex; scarce; $20.00 (€15.40) |
| BB59791. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 5c, F, weight 2.474 g, maximum diameter 16.8 mm, die axis 180o, Alexandria mint, 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory walking left, wreath in right, palm frond in left, ALEA in ex; scarce; $18.00 (€13.86) |
|  | The Securitas and Gloria types were discountinued shortly after Gratian's accession. |
| BB52580. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 27c, xxix, F, weight 2.257 g, maximum diameter 18.2 mm, die axis 0o, Thessalonica mint, 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory walking left, wreath in right, palm frond in left, • over M left, A right, TES in ex; scarce; $14.00 (€10.78) |
|  | In 381, Gratian moved the capital to Mediolanum (modern Milan). Because of his Christian beliefs, he eliminated Pontifex Maximus as an Imperial title. Gratian also refused the robe of office, insulting the pagan aristocrats of Rome. |
| BB62764. Bronze AE 3, RIC IX 31(a), F, weight 1.261 g, maximum diameter 14.4 mm, die axis 225o, Siscia mint, 9 Aug 378 - 25 Aug 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VOT XV MVLT XX in wreath, ASISC in ex; scarce; $14.00 (€10.78) |
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
Obverse legends:
|
