Valentinian II (AD 375–392) Roman Empire AE4 Nummus NGC AU

Valentinian II — A Child Emperor in a Divided West

This bronze AE4 nummus represents Valentinian II, elevated as a child and repeatedly overshadowed by powerful generals and rival emperors.

Coin Details

• Ruler: Valentinian II
• Reign and issue period: AD 375–392
• Empire/region: Western Roman Empire
• Denomination: Nummus; AE4 is a modern size classification
• Metal: AE (bronze or copper alloy)
• NGC grade: AU — About Uncirculated
• Sheldon scale equivalent: 50–53
• Quantity supplied: One encapsulated coin

Valentinian II — Court Politics and Contested Authority

Valentinian II was proclaimed emperor at four years old after the death of his father Valentinian I. His mother Justina and senior colleagues initially exercised much of the practical authority around his court.

The usurper Magnus Maximus forced Valentinian from Italy, but Theodosius I restored him in AD 388. Valentinian died at Vienne in 392 under suspicious circumstances while dominated by the general Arbogast.

What This Coin Tells Us

AE4 is a modern size category for very small late Roman bronzes rather than an ancient denomination. Such pieces remained essential to daily exchange across the shrinking western tax base.

Valentinian’s coinage projected imperial continuity despite his limited personal power. It documents how the image of legitimate dynasty functioned amid military control and civil war.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one bronze AE4 nummus of Valentinian II in an NGC Ancients holder with the stated grade. A specific mint, reverse design, inscription, weight or diameter is not promised unless expressly stated above.

Stock-photo notice: The photographs are representative of the product offering. The coin supplied may differ from the pictured example in portrait style, reverse design, inscriptions, centering, toning, surface appearance and other individual characteristics while remaining within the stated coin type and any expressly stated grade.