Gratian was born 18 April 359 and in August of A.D. 367 his father Valentinian invested him with the purple proclaiming him a co-ruler, albeit quite junior at only 7 years old! The GLORIA NOVI SAECVLI [glory of the new age] type was only issued in bronze at Arelate and presented him to the Gauls "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) The unusual obverse legend (AVGG AVG) reminded the people of Gratian's right of succession. Some scholars have interpreted this legend as "Augusti Gener Augustus" which translates roughly as "Emperor, son-in-law of an Emperor." The author of RIC IX believes that the legend probably translates as "Augustorum Augustus." Gratian had the right of succession not only because his father was Emperor, but also because he married Constantia, who was the posthumous daughter of Constantius II.
The obverse legend of AVGG AVG used for Gratian appeared on bronze coins only at Lyons and Arles on the GLORI NOVI SAECVLI, GLORIA ROMANORVM and SECVRITAS REIPVLICAE reverses. The use of this legend, "which seems to authenticate his right to the succession" at these two mints exclusively is explained by Ammianus.
Despite his pedigreed marriage and father's help, Gratian was never popular with his subjects. Ammianus wrote that he doubted the loyalty of the Gallic soldiers to the House of Valentinian (xxx,4) and when Valentinian was ill and not expected to live, the soldiers were talking of their own candidate for succession (xxvii, 6). If Ammianus gauged the mood correctly, this coin was especially important propaganda on the part of Valentinian. However, despite the efforts of Valentinian, Gratian never did gain the confidence of his Gallic army and during the revolt of Magnus Maximus, his troops rebelled and he was killed at Lugdunum in 25 August 383.
Gratian
A.D. 367-375
18x19mm 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: TCON
RIC IX Arles 15, type xiv(c)
