Uncertain King, Ca. AD 439-455

Cf. RIC 2014; cf. Depeyrot 46/1; cf. MEC 1, 166 (R-V), Mint State

The Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II elevated the five-year-old Valentinian III as Western Emperor in opposition to the usurper Joannes. Due to his extreme youth, his mother, Galla Placidia, ruled as regent for Valentinian III until 437, after which he ruled on his own under the strong influence of Aetius his magister militum per Gallias. Aetius defeated the Visigoths and did much to combat the Attila and his Huns when the crossed the Rhine in 451 and began to devastate Gaul. The ineffectual Valentinian III grew jealous of these successes and at the same time blamed him for the problems of the Western Empire. At last, in 454, the Western Emperor ordered the assassination of Aetius. However, the magister militum per Gallias had the last laugh. In the year after his untimely demise, two soldiers who had served under him avenged their commander by murdering Valentinian III.

In the name of Valentinian III (AD 423-455). D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valentinian III right. Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing facing, holding long cross and Victory on globe, resting foot on man-headed serpent; R-M//COMOB.

Ex Roma (7 April 2016), 966