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Roman Gold Solidus of Emperor Theodosius II

$2,000 (approx conversion from £1550)

Code: 11864

Website: https://www.antiquesboutique.com/roman-coins/roman-gold-solidus-of-emperor-theodosius-ii/itm70029

This is an ancient Roman gold Solidus of emperor Theodosius II, who reigned from 408 - 450 AD.

Obverse: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, "Our Lord Theodosius, Dutiful and Wise Augustus" helmeted, cuirassed three-quarters-facing bust, spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman spearing enemy.

Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG, "Harmony of the Emperors" Constantinopolis enthroned left, her left foot resting on a prow of a ship, holding a globus cruciger and a sceptre, a star on right.

This coin was struck at the Constantinople mint, between the years 408 - 419 AD. It bears the Officina letter (Alpha) which indicates the coin to have been minted by the 1st Officina at the Constantinople mint. mintmark CONOB. 

Theodosius was born in 401 as the only son of Emperor Arcadius and his wife Aelia Eudoxia. On 10 January 402 he was proclaimed co-Augustus by his father, thus becoming the youngest person ever to bear this title in Roman history. In 408, his father died and the seven-year-old boy became emperor of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. This coin clearly shows a young emperor in his early teens. A nice example in about EF condition.

DENOMINATION: Solidus

MATERIAL: Gold

DATE: 408 - 450 AD (this coin minted between 408 - 419 AD)

MINTMARK: COMOB (Constantinople, Turkey) 

SIZE: 21mm diameter

WEIGHT: 4.42 grams

ATTRIBUTION: RIC X 202; DOCLR 317; MIRB 12b; Depeyrot 57/3

PROVENANCE:  Formerly in a private collection. Frankfurt am Main, Germany.