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Auction: 1009 - Ancient, English & Foreign Coins, Commemorative Medals & Numismatic Books
Lot: 435

Gratian (367-383), Solidus, 4.52g, Lyons, 368, draped, diademed bust right, dn gratian-vs avgg avg, rev. gloria no-vi saecvli, the young Gratian standing left holding Victory on globe and labarum surmounted by Victory; each Victory holding a wreath above his head, in ex, lvg (RIC 15; C.12; P Bastien, BNF, 1987, plate VI, no.58- same reverse die), lustrous, good very fine, only the third recorded example of this issue for Lyons, extremely rare Estimate £ 4,500-5,000 provenance Bt. CGB Paris, 2007 Numismatica Genevensis 1, 27 November 2000, lot 178 The Lyons mint had been closed for some years before it reopened early in 365 possibly as a result of renewed hostilities with the Alamanni. The gloria nova saecvli issue is thought to have been struck to commemorate both the quinquennium of Valentinian I and the accession of Gratian in February-March 368. This type only exists for Lyons and Arles and it is thought by some that the design was proposed by the Gallic aristocrat and writer Ausonius. The reverse design presents Gratian as the beginning of a new glorious century. The presence of the labarum surmounted by Victory links the Christian symbol with the military power of the Emperors. The unusual avgg avg in the obverse legend states the inferior position of Gratian in relation to his father, Valentinian I, and uncle, Valens. This type is the only Solidus issued at Lyons for Gratian and only two other examples are recorded: 1. Bibliotheque nationale de France, no. 58 (P Bastien, ´Le monneyage de l´atelier de Lyon (363-413)´ Wetteran, 1987, p. 199, plate VI, no. 58 2. Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden, no. 335

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