Gratian Bronze — Son of Valentinian I, AD 367–383

Name: Gratian Bronze — Son of Valentinian I, AD 367–383
Brand: Kinzer Coins
Price: 62.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$78.50 USD

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Gratian AE2 Bronze — The Young Emperor Who Chose Theodosius and Changed Roman History

Own a Larger Bronze from the Young Emperor Whose Promise Was Cut Short at Twenty-Four

A real AE2 bronze of Gratian—the larger bronze denomination of the western emperor whose early military success, appointment of Theodosius I after the disaster at Adrianople, and support for Christianity helped shape the final century of the Roman Empire before his assassination at just twenty-four years old. NGC certified.

✓ NGC Certified
✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coin shown is a representative example. You will receive one authentic NGC-certified AE2 bronze of Gratian. Each coin is unique and will vary in strike, centering, patina, preservation, and overall appearance.

⚔️ Reverse features GLORIA ROMANORVM, Victory, military standards, or related late Roman types—celebrating the strength and endurance of an empire facing mounting pressure on every frontier

🏛 A substantial AE2 denomination—larger than the common AE3, representing one of the principal bronze denominations of the late Roman Empire

🤲 Struck during AD 367–383, from the reign that bridged the military traditions of Valentinian I and the Christian empire of Theodosius I

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

Gratian inherited enormous responsibility at a remarkably young age.

The son of Valentinian I, Gratian was made Augustus by his father at only about eight years old in AD 367. He was roughly sixteen when Valentinian died suddenly in AD 375, leaving Gratian with senior authority over the western empire. Unlike many youthful emperors, Gratian quickly demonstrated genuine military ability, campaigning successfully against the Alamanni along the Rhine and earning the respect of his army during his teenage years.

Everything changed in AD 378.

At the Battle of Adrianople, Emperor Valens and much of the eastern field army were destroyed by the Goths in one of the greatest military disasters in Roman history. Rather than attempting to govern both halves of the empire himself, Gratian made one of the most consequential appointments in Roman history by elevating the capable Spanish general Theodosius to rule the East.

That decision reshaped history.

Theodosius would reunite the Roman Empire, make Nicene Christianity the empire's official religion, and become the last emperor ever to rule a united Roman world.

Gratian also accelerated Rome's religious transformation. Working closely with Ambrose of Milan, he removed the Altar of Victory from the Senate House, withdrew state support from traditional pagan cults, and strengthened Christianity's position within the imperial government. These decisions marked a decisive turning point in Rome's religious identity and helped shape the Christian empire that followed.

Not everyone welcomed those changes. In AD 383, the general Magnus Maximus was proclaimed emperor by his troops in Britain and invaded Gaul. Gratian's army deserted him in large numbers. Captured while attempting to flee, he was killed near Lugdunum (modern Lyon) at only twenty-four years of age.

This larger AE2 bronze circulated during those pivotal years—when one young emperor's decisions helped determine the future of both the Roman Empire and Christianity.

Perfect For

Collectors of the Valentinian dynasty
History lovers fascinated by Gratian and Theodosius I
Collectors of Roman AE2 bronze coinage
Students of late Roman military and religious history
Anyone seeking an affordable artifact from one of Rome's great turning points

What You'll Receive

One authentic AE2 bronze of Gratian
Denomination: AE2 (larger late Roman bronze)
NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
Struck AD 367–383
Presented in an NGC holder
Representative example of the type (each coin is unique)

Continue the Story

Gratian's reign marked the transition between the military frontier empire of Valentinian I and the Christian Roman world of Theodosius I. His appointment of Theodosius and his religious reforms influenced the course of European history long after his own brief reign had ended.

Explore our other Roman, Byzantine, Biblical, Greek, medieval, and world coin collections to continue your journey through the rulers, battles, and turning points that shaped civilization.