EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Valens AD 364-378 Bronze Nummus /CHRISTIAN CHI-RO NGC (2)

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  • CLEANED/UNCLEANED : Uncleaned
  • CERTIFICATION NUMBER : 6158097-152
  • CERTIFICATION : NGC
  • GRADE : GRADED
  • YEAR : 364-378 AD
  • COMPOSITION : Bronze
  • RULER : Valens
  • DENOMINATION : Nummus
  • KM NUMBER : 364-378
  • ERA : Ancient

EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE


Valens - Roman Emperor
364-378 A.D.

Bronze Nummus

Obverse:  Diademed, draped and
cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: Valens dragging captive right, holding labarum tipped with a Chi-Rho,
branch.

The labarum was a vexillum (military
standard) that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol ☧, a christogram formed from the
first two Greek letters of the word "Christ"- Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). It was first
used by the Roman emperor Constantine I. Since the vexillum consisted of a flag
suspended from the crossbar of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolize the
crucifixion of Christ.

The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of
christogram, and is used by some Christians. It is formed by superimposing the
first two (capital) letters chi and rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" =
KRistos = Christ in such a way to produce the monogram. Although not technically
a Christian cross, the Chi-Rho invokes the authority of Jesus, as well as
symbolising his status as the Christ.



The Chi-Rho symbol was also used by pagan Greek scribes to mark, in the margin,
a particularly valuable or relevant passage; the combined letters Chi and Rho
standing for chrēston, meaning "good." Some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes (r.
246-222 BC) were marked with a Chi-Rho.The Chi-Rho symbol was used by the Roman
emperor Constantine I (r. 306-337) as part of a military standard (vexillum),
Constantine's standard was known as the Labarum





Valens - Roman Emperor: 364-378 A.D.

Ruling in the West: Valentinian I (364-375), Gratian (367-383), and Valentinian
II (375-392)



| Brother of Valentinian I | Uncle of Gratian, Valentinian II and Galla (wife of
Theodosius I) |



Flavius Julius Valens (Latin: FLAVIUS IVLIVS VALENS AVGVSTVS; 328 - 9 August
378) was Roman Emperor (364-378), after he was given the Eastern part of the
empire by his brother Valentinian I. Valens, sometimes known as the Last True
Roman, was defeated and killed in the Battle of Adrianople, which marked the
beginning of the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

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