Nummus - Valentinianus II VOT XX MVLT XXX, Antioch

The VOT XX MVLT XXX votive legend signals a coin struck to commemorate — or more precisely, to project — the twentieth anniversary of Valentinian II's reign, with aspirations toward a thirtieth. In practice, he never reached either milestone. Valentinian II was found hanged at Vienne in 392 AD, aged twenty-one, almost certainly murdered on the orders of the Frankish general Arbogast, though it was officially ruled a suicide. He had ruled in name for much of his reign while actual power passed between stronger hands.

The Antioch mint, designated ANTB on the exergue for this RIC 58B variety, remained active through the political turbulence of the 380s and early 390s.