Valens, "AR Siliqua" cast of consular solidus

[BeastCoins]

Dear fellow collectors,

Here is an interesting item I acquired from eBay:



Valens, AR Siliqua, Quinquennalia of 368, Constantinople
D N VALENS-P F AVG
Pearl-diademed bust left in imperial mantle, mappa in right hand, short scepter in left over shoulder
VOTA-PV_BLICA
Valentinian and Valens, nimbate, draped in imperial mantle, seated facing on throne, each raising mappa and holding scepter, captive seated on ground on either side
* CONS wreath in exergue
?mm, ?g
RIC IX, 29b; Depeyrot 22/2. Bastien, Vota Publica, Q. Tic XIV, 1985, 15 (R3)

Supposedly found in Great Britain. I acquired this item from eBay in April 2008 from a seller who only described it as "Silver Roman Coin". This coin, from the photo, appears to be a white-metal cast from a wax mold made from a mid-grade solidus. Note - this coin is only known in a solidus module and is quite rare. An odd choice from which to make an off-metal fake! When it arrives, I will see if I can conserve it and perhaps someone will be able to tie it to a specific forger or workshop.

Here is the type from which it was made:



Photo courtesy Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 38, Lot 268.

--Zach Beasley

[SILIQUAE]

Hello BeastCoins,

I'm very interresting by a picture of this siliqua of Valens for my studies about siliquas.

May I receive one ? I'll put it in my french Databasis of Siliquas : www.siliques.fr

Best regards

Siliquae