Unofficial Merchant Silver Exagium – Coin Weight?

355, Lot: 628. Estimate $150. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Valentinian II. AD 375-392. AR ‘Solidus’ (20mm, 4.30 g, 12h). Base silver imitation of a western mint solidus. Uncertain mint. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Two emperors seated facing, holding globus between them; behind and between, Victory standing front with outspread wings, palm frond below; C[O]M. Cf. RIC IX 5e (Mediolanum) for type. Good VF, traces of gilding, holed and plugged twice, scratches and marks.

Ex Bruce Gruszczinski Collection; Classical Numismatic Group 69 (8 June 2005), lot 2241.

This contemporary counterfeit of a gold solidus of Valentinian II was holed and then plugged with two silver buttons in antiquity to bring it closer to the weight of a full solidus. This may have been done to be used as a scale weight by a merchant. An interesting and enigmatic piece.