Solidus - Valentinian II VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Antioch

Valentinian II was eleven years old when he became co-emperor following his father's death in 375 AD, making him one of the youngest rulers to have gold struck in his name. The Antioch mint — one of the eastern empire's most productive gold-striking facilities — was operating under considerable political strain during this window, as the catastrophic defeat at Adrianople in 378 wiped out Valens and left the western court scrambling to assert legitimacy. Solidi from Antioch in this period often show subtle officina variations tracked under RIC IX 39a that help narrow the striking window considerably.