Gratian, AE3, Gloria Novi Saecvli, Arelate

[oldecurb]

13mm dia and 2.32 g.  Is it Roman or Greek






Thanks in advance

[translateltd]

The letters VS P visible to the right of the effigy suggest Roman to me, though it's very crude and I suspect late Roman (or possibly very early Byzantine) as a result.  Anastasius, perhaps?  I did have a squizz through the Byzantine catalogue but couldn't find any convincing matches at the time.

[akona20]

If my eyes would focus maybe I could do something. VSP on the reverse is rather common (lol). Can someone pick up a little more of the legend on either the obverse or reverse?

[Arminius]

The visible obverse legend fragments plus humble style suggest a contemporary "barbarous" Valens/Valentinianus-imitation, maybe a mix of these reverse types -





- with an indication of the officina number like the Arelate mint (Arles) about 364-365 AD.

regards

[Figleaf]

Excellent id, Arminius. I have no doubt that it is the upper variant. Not only is the figure facing, not walking past, but the dotted line on the left is a clear giveaway. I just can't place the two letters to the left of the dotted line.

Peter

[translateltd]

I just can't place the two letters to the left of the dotted line.

Peter

Looks like "OF", as in the second example.  If it's a crude contemporary imitation that would explain the fairly shaky-looking F.

[akona20]

Valens or Gartian (perhaps Valentinian but I really don't think so).

Arles or Lyon Gloria Romanorvm

Standard issue.

[SC]

The type is actually Gloria Novi Saecvli, a scarce type struck only for Gratian and only at Arelate.

The reverse has Emperor standing, head right, holding labarum and shield at feet.

SC