ROMAN. Valentinian II. A.D. 375-392. Silver Argenteus (3.14g). Lugdunum mint. Struck A.D. 389-390. D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VOT / XV / MVL / XX in four lines within laurel wreath; LVG below. RIC IX 51, 42 (MVLT); Bastien, Lyon-Supplement 1 (1989), 58, 220c (this specimen). Apparently only the fourth known example of this great rarity, and the first offered at auction since Hess-Divo Auction 324, lot 129, 23 October 2013, hammered CHF 2,200. A superb specimen of excellent style, with wonderful old cabinet toning. This rare argenteus, issued at Lugdunum in the closing years of Valentinian II's reign, bears the vota formula VOT XV MVLT XX, marking vows for the emperor's fifteenth anniversary and hopes for a twentieth. It is one of the rare survivals of late Roman imperial silver coinage. From the Titan Collection.

Estimate: AUD 1500