Valens, 364-378. Small Medallion (Bronze, 19 mm, 2.62 g, 12 h), an 'offstrike' from solidus dies. Sirmium, 26 February-late 364. D N VALEN-S P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valens to right. Rev. GAVD-IVM R P / SIRM Valentinian I, on the left, standing front, head to right, in military attire, holding inverted spear in his right hand and globe in his left; on the right, Valens standing front, head to left, in military attire, holding inverted spear in his right hand and globe in his left. Alföldi, Festival of Isis -. Cohen -. Gnecchi -. RIC -. Toynbee -. https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/valens/uncat.txt (this coin). Of the highest rarity. Apparently unpublished save for its previous auction appearance and the wildwinds entry, and of great numismatic interest. Slightly smoothed and with minor deposits, otherwise, good very fine.



Sirmium was one of the smaller imperial mints, and it was opened and closed repeatedly during the fourth century. An initial phase of activity under Constantine the Great, from 320 to 326, was followed from 351 onward by a second, longer period of production under Constantius II, Julian II, and Jovian. This changed with the accession of Valentinian I on 26 February 364: the new emperor closed the mint at Sirmium in that very year. It was not reopened until 378.

Several highly intriguing experimental coin types belong to the brief period of production under Valentinian I and Valens. RIC records, for example, a unique bronze issue with the legend PERPETVITAS IMPERII, depicting the emperor receiving from the hand of God a shield adorned with a swastika (RIC 5). In addition, Naumann 84 (2019), 1072 featured a bronze coin showing the emperor on horseback with the inscription SECVRITAS REI PVBLICAE, likewise a previously unattested type.

Our coin, first noted and discussed in August 2000 on wildwinds, represents a third and especially unusual specimen. It depicts the two emperors together and bears the unique legend GAVDIVM R(ei) P(ublicae), 'the joy of the state.' The highly unusual type, the absence of an officina mark, and the coin’s diameter of 19 mm all suggest that, like the Naumann piece, it was a trial strike for an intended gold issue that was never put into production. As such, the coin is an important piece of evidence for the innovative activity of the mint at Sirmium at the beginning of the Valentinian dynasty, an activity that came to an end after only a few months when the imperial chancery decided to close the mint.