RCV 19333 Valentinian I, 364-75 AD. Lugdunum AR Miliarense, 368 AD.

Valentinian I. AD 364-375.

AR Miliarense, 368 AD, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 

Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: VOTIS V MVLTIS X / Mintmark: SMLAP,

Reference: RIC IX 16a, RDV 19333

Size: 24mm. Weight: 4.56 g. Conservation: scratches, corrosion F/VG 

The miliarense (neuter form of the late Latin miliarensis, "pertaining to a thousand"; plural: miliarensia) was a large silver coin, introduced to the late Roman monetary system in the early 4th century. It was struck with variable fineness, generally with a weight between 3.8 and 6.0 grams, and a diameter of c. 23–24 mm. The miliarense was struck first under Constantine the Great.

There were two kinds of miliarense coins: light and heavy. It took 14 heavy miliarensia and 18 light miliarensia to equal one gold solidus (as also introduced by Constantine). Miliarensia are highly desired by numismatists of the present day, due to both the rarity of the denomination (far less common than the siliqua) and the often exquisite execution of both bust and reverse types, which led to many being used as pendants or mounted in antiquity.

The unusual form of the mint mark on this type, relates to the imitation of Comitatesian (court mint) issues at Lugdunum and Arles in 368 AD. The "A.P." stands for argentum pusulatum which was soon changed to "PS". (source: David Sear)

Référence : RCV 19333

Source : https://roman-emperors.sites.luc.edu/val...

Collection : VIII The Late Roman Empire