Sirmium — modern Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia — was one of the most strategically critical mints of the late empire, positioned near the Danube frontier where pressure from Gothic and Sarmatian incursions was near-constant. Valens received the eastern half of the empire when his brother Valentinian I divided rule in 364, and Sirmium fell under western administration, making coins struck here in Valens' name a product of fraternal coordination rather than his own mint network.
RIC IX 4b is distinguished from the parallel 4a issue by its specific officina attribution.
Sirmium — modern Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia — was one of the most strategically critical mints of the late empire, positioned near the Danube frontier where pressure from Gothic and Sarmatian incursions was near-constant. Valens received the eastern half of the empire when his brother Valentinian I divided rule in 364, and Sirmium fell under western administration, making coins struck here in Valens' name a product of fraternal coordination rather than his own mint network.
RIC IX 4b is distinguished from the parallel 4a issue by its specific officina attribution.