Valens, 364-378. 1 1/2 Scripula - 9 Siliquae (Gold, 18 mm, 2.20 g, 5 h), Antiochia, 373-375. D N VALENS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valens to right.
Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / ANOBI Victory seated right on arms, inscribing shield set on her left knee with VOT / X / MVL / XX; in field to left, star; to right, cross. Depeyrot 43/3. RIC 26 var. (officina letter not listed). Extremely rare. A few light scratches
, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
The unusual denomination of a 1 1/2 scripula was equivalent to 3/8 of a solidus or 9 siliquae. It was introduced by Constantine I, along with the semissis, which was half a solidus, and was sporadically minted until the late 4th century, but all known types are very rare. The introduction of the more practical tremissis, a one-third solidus piece equivalent to 8 siliquae, by Theodosius I around 383, eventually prevailed, establishing the three-part Roman gold currency system of solidus, semissis, and tremissis that remained in place well into Byzantine times.
