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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Late Empire| ▸ |Gratian||View Options:   | | | Gratian, son of Valentinian I, became the sole ruler of the Western empire in 375 A.D., and after the catastrophic defeat of the Roman forces at Hadrianopolis, the Eastern empire also came under his rule. To better cope with the empire, he elevated general Theodosius to the Eastern throne. Because of a shortage of coinage to meet the payroll, Gratian was abandoned by his troops during the revolt of Magnus Maximus. He was overtaken and killed while fleeing to the Alps. |
"'Siliqua' (pl: siliquae), the smallest Roman unit of weight measurement (equal to 1/144 of a Roman ounce - 1/1728 of a pound) was applied about 323 to the silver coins (93-97% fine) which Constantine I struck. By 324 the solidus was the Roman gold unit (struck at 1/72 of a pound) and was tariffed at 24 silver coins. Thus 'siliqua' was applied to the silver, since it was equal to 1/24 of 1/72 of a pound of gold, or 1/1728 of a pound of gold. Originally struck at 3.15 gms and 18-20 mms, between 355 and 360 they were reduced by Constantius II to about 2.0 gms and remained at that weight into Byzantine times." - Moneta Historical Research by Thomas SchroerRL74060. Silver siliqua, RIC IX Aquileia 27(f)1 or 45(c)1, RSC V 86a, Hunter V 5, SRCV V 19964, gVF, well centered and struck, toned, scratches and scrape, flan crack, weight 1.800 g, maximum diameter 17.5 mm, die axis 225o, Treveri (Trier, Germany) mint, 24 Aug 367 - 9 Aug 378 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VRBS ROMA (City of Rome), Roma seated left on throne, Victory on globe offering wreath in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, TRPS• in exergue; SOLD
Gratian prohibited Pagan worship at Rome; refused to wear the insignia of the pontifex maximus as unbefitting a Christian; removed the Altar of Victory from the Senate House at Rome, despite protests of the pagan members of the Senate, and confiscated its revenues; forbade legacies of real property to the Vestals; and abolished other privileges belonging to them and to the pontiffs. Nevertheless he was still deified after his death. RL57045. Bronze maiorina, RIC IX Antioch 42(b), LRBC II 2679, VF, weight 4.719 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 9 Aug 378 - 25 Aug 383 A.D.; obverse D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse REPARATIO REIPVB, emperor standing facing, head left, right hand raising kneeling turreted woman, Victory on globe in left hand, ANTA in exergue; attractive Syrian patina; SOLD
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