2020-07-02 Thu

Valentinian III was the Western Roman Emperor reigning from 425 to 455. He elevated as Roman emperor at the age of six on 23rd October 425. His reign was marked by the ongoing collapse of the Western Empire.

The only son of Flavius Constantius and Galla Placidia, Valentinian was born on 2nd July 419 in the western capital of Revanna. In the early years of his reign, Valentinian was overshadowed by his mother. After his marriage in 437, moreover, much of the real authority laid in the hands of the Patrician and Master of Soldiers Aetius.

The above shown Solidus minted in Ravenna. It depicts rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian III on its obverse face. On the other hand, the reverse shows Valentinian standing facing, long cross in the right hand, Victory on globe in left, right foot on the human-headed serpent with closed coil; R-V across fields, COMOB in exergue.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions