364-375AD ~ Roman Empire ~ Valentinian ~ EMPEROR DRAGGING CAPTIVE ~ AE3 Bronze ~ 19.59mm, 3.04 grams, Very Fine, Siscia Mint, R.I.C. IX 5a, #4002 in “Roman Coins and Their Values”

Obverse – Pearl Diademed Bust of Valentinian – “D N VALENTINIANUS P F AVG” – Domine Noster (Our Lord) Valentinian, the Pious, the Fortunate, Father of the Nation

Reverse – Emperor dragging captive by his hair (Glory of the Romans eliminating the barbarians) – “GLORIA ROMANORUM” – Glory of the Romans – “dot” “ASISC” in exergue – Siscia Mint in Yugoslavia

Message that quieted violent doubters about imperial efficiency or frontier security.  Made the message clear to the Empire, emphasizing Rome’s age-long protection of the civilized world against the forces of barbarism. 

Valentinian ruled the Western side of the empire allowing a co-emperor to rule the Eastern side of the empire.