The Valens AE Follis minted at the Siscia Mint during AD 364-378 is a notable Roman Imperial bronze coin from the reign of Emperor Valens. Ruling the Eastern Roman Empire alongside his brother Valentinian I, Valens faced immense challenges—including revolts, Gothic invasions, and wars with Persia. His reign was marked by major events such as the Gothic War and the catastrophic Battle of Adrianople, where Valens fell in 378, signaling the rise of barbarian encroachment within Roman territory.
The obverse of the Valens AE Follis typically features a profile bust of Valens, often adorned with a diadem and imperial drapery, identified by inscriptions like “DN VALENS PF AVG” (Dominus Noster Valens Pius Felix Augustus). The reverse frequently displays motifs such as the emperor with military standards, allegorical figures of Victory, or images reflecting state propaganda, with mintmarks like SIS to denote the Siscia Mint (in modern Croatia).
Coins from Siscia are prized for their strong strikes and preserved details, offering a glimpse into the imperial portraiture and symbolism of the Late Roman Empire. These AE Follis bronzes were used throughout the eastern provinces, circulated heavily among soldiers and citizens during one of the last great periods of unified Roman authority in the Balkans.
Valens AE Siscia Follis coins appeal to collectors for their link to a dramatic era of Roman history, their variety of reverse types, and the representation of imperial resilience amidst the challenges that ultimately shaped the fate of the Roman Empire.