Can anyone identify my Roman copper coin's emperor?

dabrin

I acquired an ancient Roman coin encased in dirt from ancient times. I have restored it to the best of my ability using alcohol and olive oil and a lot of excavating. Can anyone tell me who the emperor is and who the goddess(?) on the reverse is? It looks to me like emperor Constantine or one of the rulers around the 300-400's. Thanks in advance for any help. -David

harasha

Clearly Victoria advancing left, but I could not find a potential match with my limited resources. Someone more familiar with the type may be more helpful, at least with the reverse legend. Doesn't look like the usual Victoria Augg.

Sapyx

It's a Late Roman Bronze. Part of the problem here is that, for around a hundred years after Constantine the Great, imperial portraits became somewhat stylized and cartoonish, and all the emperors tended to look alike. There are some notable exceptions (like the rare-at-the-time bearded emperors), but mostly, you need to read the legends to get an indication of the emperor.

All I can tell about this one, is that it's an emperor (as opposed to a junior-ranked Caesar or some other imperial family member) with a relatively short name, like Constans or Valens.

Combined with the reverse image of Victory standing alone, I think that would narrow it down to Valens. Which would in turn make the reverse legend SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE. I can't read the mintmark at all, though.

1984worldcoins

could be Roman Empire AE17 Valens AD 364 - 378. Siscia Mint. Obverse: DN VALENS P F AVG. Diademed; draped and cuirassed bust of Valens right. Reverse: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE; Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm branch; DSISC in exergue. RIC 7

tcollects

fyi, in the future, you can harness the magical powers of your beard to answer questions like this