Gratian Roman AE3 (AD 367-383) NGC

Own a certified Roman bronze AE3 of Gratian (AD 367–383), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin offers a glimpse into the later days of the Western Roman Empire, when young rulers still carried the hope of imperial revival.

Gratian was the son of Emperor Valentinian I and the nephew of Emperor Valens. Elevated to the rank of Augustus while still a boy, he officially assumed the throne of the Western Roman Empire in 375 AD. Despite his youth, Gratian initially proved to be an energetic and capable ruler. His early reign was marked by decisive military leadership and a strong reputation among both the army and the Roman aristocracy.

Gratian earned respect on the battlefield, particularly in campaigns against Germanic tribes along the empire’s increasingly unstable frontiers. He also played a key role in strengthening the empire’s Christian character, openly favoring Nicene Christianity and reducing the official status of traditional pagan practices.

However, as internal tensions grew and rival claimants emerged, Gratian’s position weakened. In 383 AD, he was overthrown and killed during a rebellion led by the usurper Magnus Maximus.

AE3 coins of Gratian often depict his youthful, diademed or helmeted portrait on the obverse, while the reverse typically celebrates military victories, Roman unity, or the favor of the divine — messages essential to a young emperor’s legitimacy.

Certified by NGC, this bronze AE3 coin offers a connection to the last vigorous attempts to preserve Roman authority in the West. A perfect addition for collectors of late Roman history and imperial transitions.