Valens SECVRITAS RIC Type

[Derek H]

Hello,

I have another coin for which I can’t determine the RIC type.

Here’s what I have:

Obverse: DNVALEN-SPFAVG

Reverse: SECVRITAS-REIPUBLICAE

Victory advancing left

* over F
  (?) SISC

2.44g

I think it’s either RIC IX 7b or 15b. Which, if either of these, is it?

By the way, what is the difference in these types? Is it a matter of field or mint marks?

Thank you

[SC]

The mark is partly obscured.  It is either * F / S or * F / M.  I believe it is the latter.

There are some small crusts/adhesions still on the coin that are hard to make out as they are the same color as the rest of the patina.  For example you can see them in the ear and eye on the obverse and in Victory's skirt and below her wings on the reverse.  It look like there is an M below the wings.

This * F  / M would then be RIC-IX-Siscia-15b(xvi), likely struck in the first third of 370 AD.

The mint mark is ASISC - with the odd Siscia A.

RIC 7 were struck in the first period 364-367 when only Valentinian I and Valens ruled.  RUC-15 in the second period 367-375 when Valentinian I, Valens and Gratian ruled.  The only difference though are the mint and field marks.

SC