Valentinian II (AD 375–392) Roman Empire AE2 Nummus NGC Ch VF

Valentinian II Bronze Nummus — A Child Emperor in a Divided Court

This late Roman bronze was issued in the name of Valentinian II, whose imperial title contrasted sharply with the limited power he could exercise. His coinage opens a window onto dynastic succession, military influence and competing courts in the fourth-century Roman Empire.

Coin Details

• Ruler: Valentinian II
• Reign and issue period: AD 375–392; the reign range does not identify the exact year of this stock offering
• Empire/region: Roman Empire
• Denomination: AE2 nummus
• Composition: Bronze/copper alloy (AE)
• NGC grade: Ch VF — Choice Very Fine
• Sheldon-scale equivalent: 30–35
• Quantity supplied: One encapsulated coin

The Sheldon-scale number is an equivalent associated with the stated ancient-coin grade; it is not a separate numerical grade assigned to the coin.

Valentinian II and His Place in Roman History

Valentinian II was only four when soldiers proclaimed him Augustus after his father’s death in AD 375. His older half-brother Gratian was already an emperor. The arrangement preserved the family’s claim to power, but the young ruler necessarily depended on his mother Justina, court officials and military commanders.

The usurper Magnus Maximus forced Valentinian’s court to flee Italy in AD 387. Theodosius I defeated Maximus and restored Valentinian the following year. His later relationship with the general Arbogast remained difficult, and his death in AD 392 occurred in circumstances that ancient accounts describe differently. The reign illustrates the distance that could exist between holding an imperial title and commanding an empire.

What the Coin Tells Us

AE2 is a modern size classification for a larger late Roman bronze, not a numeral printed on the coin as its face value. It helps collectors distinguish this size group from smaller AE3 and AE4 issues when ancient denomination names and changing monetary values are uncertain.

Coins bearing an emperor’s name served as public statements of recognized authority. Their portrait styles, legends and reverse themes can be compared across contemporary rulers and mints. This offering identifies the emperor, coin class and NGC grade; it does not guarantee a particular reverse or mintmark from the stock photograph.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one bronze AE2 nummus of Valentinian II in an NGC Ancients holder, graded Ch VF (Choice Very Fine). A specific mint, issue year, 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.