Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1601. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $3850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GRATIAN. 367-383 AD. AV Solidus (4.44 g, 6h). Struck 379 AD. Sirmium mint. D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, wearing long sideburns / VICTOR-IA AVGG•, Gratian and Theodosius I seated facing, holding a globe between them with their right hands; palm between; above, Victory standing facing with wings spread; SIROB. RIC IX 9a; Depeyrot 29/1 (this coin referenced); DOC 243. EF. Rare. ($2000)

Ex Gorny & Mosch 133 (11 October 2004), lot 542; Leu 22 (8 May 1979), lot 399.

The long sideburns depicted on this rare issue indicate a traditional sign of mourning. Here, Gratian mourns his deceased uncle, the emperor Valens, who died at Adrianople. This portait, combined with the reverse type, confirms this as an issue early in 379, when Gratian (at Sirmium) proclaimed Theodosius I as Valens' successor.