Gratian
A.D. 367-375
17x18mm 2.2g
DN GRATIANVS AVGG AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
GLORIA NO-VI SAECVLI, Emperor standing facing, head left,
holding labarum inscribed with a Chi-Rho in right hand and resting left hand on shield
In ex: T dot CON
RIC IX Arles 15
RIC does not list this mintmark, but does have a TCON with dot in the left field, in which the dot is actually very close to the exergual line (almost on it). Maybe this is one that the engraver did not understand where to put the dot or it is an unrecorded variation of the mintmark.
The obverse legend (AVGG AVG) reminded the people of Gratian's right of succession while the reverse "presented him to his father's subjects as the boy destined to fulfil the Messianic prophecy of the Sibylline books and to usher in a Golden Age of justice and plenty." (RIC IX)
