Valens, Usurper

CNG 94, Lot: 1215. Estimate $15000. Sold for $16000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Valens. Usurper, AD 316-317. Æ Follis (23mm, 4.14 g, 12h). Cyzicus mint, 6th officina. IMP C AVR VAL VALENS P F AVG, laureate head right / IOVI CONS ERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe and scepter; to left, eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak; VI//SKM. RIC VII 7; R.A.G. Carson, “The Geneva Forgeries” in NC 1958, p. 57 and pl. VI, b (authentic issue in Berlin, from same rev. die). Good VF, some toned silvering remains, brown and red-brown patina, areas of green deposits, double strike on reverse. Extremely rare.

Shortly before or after his defeat by Constantine at the Battle of Cibalae (8 October, AD 316), Licinius I symbolically deposed his rival emperor, and elevated his general, Valerius Valens, to replace Constantine as the Roman emperor in the east. The arrangement was short-lived, as Constantine was soon in a dominant position from which he was able to force Licinius to recognize him as the senior emperor, and also depose Valens. Whether it was part of the agreement is unknown, but Licinius not only deposed Valens, but also had him executed. Nevertheless, during the short interlude in which Valens was emperor, coinage was struck for him by the Licinian-controlled mints of Cyzicus and Alexandria.