The Tragic Fate of Crispus

Crispus, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 324-325. FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate ‘heroic’ bust to left, seen from behind, holding spear and shield to front, balteus over right shoulder / VIRTVS CAESARI N, emperor on horseback charging to right, shield in left hand, about to spear enemy in posture of supplication before horse, his shield proffered before him; below, a second enemy lies to left on ground line beneath the horse, extending his left arm; SMNP in exergue. RIC VII 84-5 var. (unlisted officina); C. 164 var. (same); Depeyrot 35/6; Biaggi 2068 (same). 4.45g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State; in spectacular state of preservation. Previously NGC graded MS★ 5/5 - 4/5 (#4632784-004). Extremely Rare; one of apparently just three known examples.

Ex Long Valley River Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 696; Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3071, 6 January 2019, lot 34123.

Characterised in contemporary literature as having achieved ‘great deeds’ and being a ‘most courageous Caesar’ (Nazarius, Panegyrici Latini 10.3.4) and a ruler most dear to god (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, 10.9.6), Crispus, first son of Constantine the Great, was seemingly deserving of the heroic manner in which he is portrayed on this solidus. Minted in 324-5, it is a manifestation of his father’s gratitude to Crispus for his assistance in finally defeating Constantine’s rival Augustus in the East, Licinius.

Proclaimed Caesar in 317 and having already established himself as a competent military commander, winning victories over the Franks and the Alamanni in 320 and 323, it was in 324 that Crispus achieved his most impressive military victory to date. Appointed commander of Constantine’s fleet, Crispus was despatched to confront Licinius and his subsequent victory at the Battle of the Hellespont proved a resounding endorsement of Crispus’ leadership. His involvement in Constantine’s later decisive victory over Licinius’ forces at the battle of Chrysopolis cemented his favour with his father, who made his gratitude to his eldest son manifest by commissioning various visual representations of his son, including mosaics and statuary. The dating of this coin can, thus, directly relate it to his involvement in the victories in 324.

The rarity of the gold coinage of Crispus is testament, however, to a less glorious latter chain of events, as his time in favour was short-lived. In 326 Crispus was executed on his father’s orders at the town of Pola, just two years after he had been so publicly lauded by him and his depictions were then subject to damnatio memoriae. The reasons for his execution remain somewhat unclear, and as is so often the case for figures in the ancient world who were subject to damnatio memoriae and misleading propaganda after their death, getting to the truth of events can be challenging.

The most widely accepted ancient version of events, proposed by, amongst others, Zosimus (New History 2.29.2) is that Constantine’s wife (Crispus’ step-mother) Fausta was infatuated by him and, on his rejection of her advances, she accused him of attempting to seduce her, resulting in her husband’s decision to execute him. The parallels with the myth of Phaedra and Hippolytus, son of Theseus, seem inescapable and, undoubtedly, influenced contemporary writers in their portrayal of events. This representation of Constantine’s reasoning has also been seen to reflect increasingly Christianising tone of the contemporary and later literature and historiography, as indeed most writers obliquely imply that Crispus was only accused of adultery by Fausta, which is not necessarily commensurate with the harsh punishment meted out and, moreover, the representation of women as wicked and scheming was, of course, not uncommon in Christian writing.

It, nevertheless, does seem likely that Fausta was directly involved in Crispus’ end, and her motivation was clearly that her own sons were lower in the line of succession while Crispus was the official heir. With Crispus out of the way, Fausta’s eldest son Constantine II would be promoted to next in line. It would, indeed, not be the first instance that can be found of maternal machinations on behalf of sons in the imperial family; both Agrippina the Younger and Livia have been accused of the same. Like Agrippina the Younger, however, Fausta herself came to an unpleasant end, being killed on Constantine’s orders (Zosimus, New History, 2.29.2).

It is the damnatio memoriae which has resulted in coins being the only certain representations of Crispus which survive (other portraits in marble and cameo form have been tentatively attributed to him, although none definitively), (Pohlsander, H.A., ‘Crispus: Brilliant Career and Tragic End, Historia: Zeitschrift fur Alter Geschichte 33, 1984, pp. 89 - 92) and it would seem that coins minted before the news of his execution had spread were also subject to destruction (Sutherland, C.H.V., Litt, D. & Carson, R.A.G. eds., RIC VII, 1966, p. 593). This coin is, therefore, a rare surviving tribute to a Caesar who achieved so much, only to meet a tragic end at the hands of his father.

756.

Constantine II, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 336-337. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, prince standing to left, in military dress, holding vexillum with right hand and long sceptre with left hand; two standards behind, CONS in exergue. RIC VII 109; Depeyrot 7/5. 4.61g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine; minor surface marks on rev. Very Rare.

Ex Ambrose Collection;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction IV, 30 September 2012, lot 677.

An Extremely Rare Issue

757.

2,100

758.

Constans AR Siliqua. Rome, AD 347. FL IVL CONSTANS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / FL IVL CONSTANS P F AVGG, Victory advancing to left, head turned to right, holding wreath and palm, a bowing captive behind her; R in exergue. RIC VIII 70; RSC 30. 2.95g, 20mm, 6h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; rated R4 in RIC, no other examples offered at auction in the last 20 years.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 870.

600

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 340-351. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, laurel-and-rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned facing each other, one with head to right and one with foot on prow and holding sceptre, supporting between them a wreath inscribed VOT XX MVLT XXX in four lines; SMNS in exergue. RIC VIII 29; C. 108; Depeyrot 3/1. 4.61g, 21mm, 12h.

Fleur De Coin.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 84, 20 May 2015, lot 1226. 3,900

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 351-355. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, holding between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMNЄ in exergue. RIC VIII 74; Depeyrot 5/2. 4.47g, 21mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; well-centered on a large and lustrous flan. Rare.

Ex NAC 25, 2003

760.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Nicomedia, AD 351-355. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, holding between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMNS in exergue. RIC VIII 74; Depeyrot 5/2. 4.55g, 22mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. A rare tricennalia issue.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 54, 24 March 2010, lot 626; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 25, 25 June 2003, lot 601.

761.

900

762.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Sirmium, AD 351-354. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma, wearing long dress and helmet, seated facing, holding spear with left hand, and Constantinopolis, wearing long dress and mural crown, seated to left holding sceptre in left hand, right foot on prow, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; •SIRM(branch) in exergue. RIC VIII 5; C. 112; Depeyrot 3/1. 4.42g, 22mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; minute obv. scrape, well-centered on a lustrous planchet.

Acquired from Heritage Auctions Europe.

Ex Leu 45, 1988

1,200

Constantius II AV Solidus. Sirmium, AD 355-361. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, and Constantinopolis enthroned to left with foot on prow and holding sceptre, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXXV MVLT XXXX in four lines; SIRM(star in crescent) in exergue. RIC VIII 59; C. 124; Depeyrot 12/1. 4.42g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State. Extremely Rare.

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 153, 14 March 2009, lot 8976; Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 45, 26 May 1988, lot 382.

2,700

763.

Constantius II AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 355-361. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma enthroned facing, holding spear and Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding sceptre, foot on prow, supporting between them shield inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; SMANB• in exergue. RIC VIII 162; Depeyrot 9/1. 4.44g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; a wonderful and perfectly centered example.

600

“Censeris” Æ 18mm. Uncertain (British?) mint, circa AD 354-358. [..]NSERI[..], diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / COHTATI[...]S, emperor standing to left on galley, holding phoenix and standard with Chi-Rho on banner, Victory seated behind, steering ship. Cf. C.H.V. Sutherland, ”Carausius II”, “Censeris”, and the Barbarous FEL. TEMP REPARATIO Overstrikes in NC Vol. 5 (1945), No. 3/4 , pp. 125-133, 6; cf. BM 1971,0318.1 = R.A.G. Carson and J.P.C. Kent, ‘A Hoard of Roman Fourth-Century Bronze Coins from Heslington, Yorkshire’ in NC Vol. 11 (1971), p. 225. 1.91g, 18mm, 12h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

From a private UK collection.

In 1887 Sir Arthur Evans published a remarkable copy of a Roman FEL TEMP REPARATIO Æ found at Richborough bearing the obverse legend DOMINO CARAVSIO CES (NC Vol. 7, pp. 191-219). Evans argued that the coin was not merely a barbarous imitation but that of an otherwise unrecorded fifth-century ruler of Southern Britain named Carausius. The coin published by Evans shares the same reverse type as the present specimen and likewise bears a garbled version of the name Constantius (which was misread as Constantine by Evans) on the reverse. This led Evans to conclude that this new Carausius was associated with Constantine III, either as an independent usurper bidding for recognition or as an actual nominee of the legitimate emperor.

The matter was reopened by C.H.V. Sutherland in 1945 who was able to publish further specimens found at Richborough as well as others of uncertain provenance. The new specimens were all “falling horseman” types however they all shared a similarity of style with the Evans specimen, as well key characteristics such as the garbled name of Constantius on the reverse. Though their legends were incomplete, there was enough evidence for Sutherland to conclude that Carausius was the probable name indicated on three of the new specimens he published. Sutherland rejected Evan’s attribution of this coinage to the 5th century and established they were struck during the 350s, a view later supported by Kent who argued they can almost certainly be assigned to the years 354-8 (NC Vol. 17, pp. 78-83).

Much of the subsequent scholarship, including Kent and more recently Casey, has focused on the potential existence of a ‘Carausius II’ and has neglected one of Sutherland’s discoveries almost entirely. Amongst the coins included in his 1945 article was one found at Richborough bearing the name of a different potential ruler entirely, whose name can be read as Censeris or perhaps Genseris (DOMINO CΛ[…] CENSERIS). Although frustratingly incomplete, it is likely that the present specimen also bears the name Censeris (..NSERI..) given also the similarity in style and typology to the specimens published by Sutherland.

Sutherland was convinced that both represented issues by minor rulers claiming to be colleagues of Constantius II and might be attributed to the period of (or the aftermath) of the usurpation of Magnentius when Constantius did not hold total control over Britain. There is no historical evidence however for the existence of either person or a semi-independent dominium. Even the historian Ammianus Marcellinus is silent on the matter despite providing what appears to be a comprehensive account of events in Britain during this period. Furthermore, Kent’s highly technical and convincing arguments for isolating the dating of these issues to the years 354-8 place them during a period when Constantius held undisputed control over the empire and his agents were particularly active in punishing dissidents in Britain.

Whilst sceptics might disregard these issues as being merely copies, Casey notes that they exhibit a degree of originality which goes well beyond their prototypes (Carausius and Allectus: The British Usurpers, London, 1994, p. 167). If these coins are simply copies then why attempt to engrave the names ‘Carausius’ and ‘Censeris’? Why engrave DOMINO rather than the abbreviation we find on the originals and replace the reverse legend with something different entirely? These questions remain unsettled and the case for Carausius and Censeris remains unproven.

766.

Ex Hispanic Society of America Collection

Constantius Gallus, as Caesar, AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 351– 354. D N CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma, seated facing on left, and Constantinopolis, seated to left on right, supporting round shield inscribed VOTIS V; SMANΘ• in exergue. RIC VIII 90; Depeyrot 7/4; NAC 46, 722 (same dies). 4.39g, 21mm, 6h.

About Extremely Fine; a well-centred example. Extremely Rare.

Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 67, 17 October 2012, lot 379; Ex Hispanic Society of America Collection, no. 30124.

2,100

767.

Julian II AR Siliqua. Lugdunum, AD 360-363. FL CL IVLIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA DD NN AVG, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm; LVG in exergue. RIC VIII 215A; C. 58. 2.08g, 17mm, 12h.

Near Mint State; lightly toned, with golden iridescence around the devices.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 92, 24 May 2016, lot 2483.

Cited in Depeyrot, Ex Leu 1973

300

768.

Julian II AV Solidus. Antioch, AD 361-363. FL CL IVLIANVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANORVM, soldier standing to right, head to left, holding trophy and dragging captive; ANTΔ in exergue. RIC VIII 195; Depeyrot 15/1 (this coin cited for this officina); Biaggi 2221. 4.40g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Rare.

This coin cited in G. Depeyrot, Les monnaies d’or de Constantin II à Zenon (Wetteren, 1995-1996); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 8 October 2021, lot 884; Ex El Medina Collection;

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction XXXII, 7 December 1994, lot 462; Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 57, 25 May 1993, lot 319; Ex Bank Leu AG, Auction 7, 9 May 1973, lot 443.

3,600

769.

Valens AV Solidus. Treveri, AD 372. D N VALENS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGG, Valentinian and Valens enthroned facing, holding globe between them; above, Victory facing with wings spread, palm between; TR•OB• in exergue. RIC IX 17d corr. (mintmark); Depeyrot 42/2. 4.51g, 22mm, 12h.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 1116; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 30 October 2020, lot 705;

Ex Pierre Bastien Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 922; Privately purchased from Jean Vinchon Numismatique in 1966.

1,500

770.

Gratian AV Solidus. Treveri, AD 375-378. D N GRATIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGG, two emperors enthroned facing, holding globe between them; above, Victory facing with wings spread, palm branch between; TROBS in exergue. RIC IX 39c; Depeyrot 43/4.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 3/5 (#6329094-015).

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 75, 18 November 2013, lot 354.

A Very Rare Tremissis of Eugenius

771.

Eugenius AV Tremissis. Mediolanum, AD 393-394. D N EVGENIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and palm-branch; M-D across fields, COM in exergue. RIC IX 29; C. 10; Depeyrot 11/2; Biaggi 2315. 1.46g, 14mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex MDC Monnaies de Collection sarl, Auction 3, 1 December 2017, lot 219 (hammer: EUR 8,000).

Published in 1967

600

3,600

Honorius AV Solidus. Mediolanum, AD 394-395. D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing to right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, treading on captive to right; M-D across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC IX 35c = RIC X 1206; Toffanin 486/2; Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern, Biel, Solothurn (1967), 522 (this coin); Depeyrot 16/2. 4.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

This coin published in Kunst der Antike aus Privatbesitz Bern, Biel, Solothurn (1967); Ex collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 8, 23 October 2021, lot 396.

1,050

Honorius AV Solidus. Ravenna, AD 421. D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and round shield decorated with Chi-Rho symbol / Roma and Constantinopolis, each seated facing one another on cuirass, holding wreath between inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; below, palm branch set on ground, R - V across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1332; Ranieri 19; Depeyrot 4/2. 4.46g, 22mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 688.

1,200

A Puppet Usurper

Priscus Attalus AV Solidus. Rome, AD 409. PRISCVS ATTALVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / INVICTA ROMA

AETERNA, helmeted and draped Roma, seated facing on high-backed throne supporting Victory, who stands to right on globe crowning her with wreath and palm, and holding spear; palm branch behind throne, R-M across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1404; C. 3; Depeyrot 39/1. 4.33g, 20mm, 12h.

About Extremely Fine; a few light scrapes, well struck on a full flan. Exceptionally Rare. From a private European collection.

30,000

Priscus Attalus was a Romano-Greek from Asia of noble descent whose father had moved to Italy under Valentinian I. He became an important senator in Rome, serving as praefectus urbi at the time of the Visigothic king Alaric’s second siege in 409. Angered by the western emperor Honorius lack of concessions, Alaric pressured the senate of Rome by threatening to destroy the granaries at Ostia. Faced with starvation, the Senate was forced to cooperate with the Visigoths by electing one of their own members to be raised to Augustus as a rival for Honorius, whose court was based in Ravenna. In so doing, Alaric hoped to bring Honorius to negotiations. Attalus was to be the last non-Christian pretender to the purple, and was twice proclaimed emperor by the Visigoths in an effort to impose their terms on the weak and ineffectual Honorius. Attalus first reign only lasted a few months when in 410 Alaric deposed Attalus, believing he was hampering his negotiations with Honorius.

After Rome had been intermittently under attack from the Visigoths for three years, Alaric led part of his army north to challenge Honorius in Ravenna. When the venture failed, he returned to Rome to depose Attalus and sacked the city for three days in August 410, taking Attalus and Honorius halfsister, Galla Placidia, as hostages.

Although Rome had long been overlooked as a western imperial capital, having been replaced by Mediolanum in 286 and again by Ravenna in 402, the Visigoth siege of Rome culminating eventually in the sack of 410 dealt a keen blow to the Roman psyche. This was the first time that the spiritual and cultural heart of the empire had been conquered in fully eight hundred years. The legend ‘INVICTA ROMA AETERNA’ the unconquerable, eternal Rome and image of an enthroned Roma holding Victory vainly invokes the invincibility of the city of Rome and are laughably ironic, but reflect the desperate faith the besieged Romans felt in the invincibility of their historic capital. Despite being crowned in direct opposition to Honorius, Attalus Rome issues show a marked stylistic continuity with those of Honorius, likely owing to the highly competent mint workers who remained in Rome during the Visigoth siege.

778.

Jovinus, Puppet of Gundahar and Goar

779.

Jovinus AR Siliqua. Arelate, AD 411-413. D N IOVINVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / RESTI[TV]TOR REIP, Roma seated to left on curule chair, holding Victory on globe and inverted spear; KONT in exergue. RIC X 1721; RSC 2†b. 1.42g, 15mm, 7h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Very Rare.

From a private English collection.

Following the defeat of the usurper known as Constantine III, Jovinus was proclaimed emperor at Mainz in 411, a puppet supported by Gundahar, king of the Burgundians, and Goar, king of the Alans. Jovinus kept his position in Gaul for two years, long enough to issue coinage that showed him wearing the imperial diadem.

Theodosius II AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 402-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust to right / Trophy with shield and two javelins; two stars flanking; CONOB in exergue. RIC X 333; Depeyrot 71/1; DOCLR 361-362. 1.52g, 15mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine.

From the inventory of a central European dealer; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 9, 28 June 2014, lot 669.

Theodosius II AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 408-420. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing to right, head to left, holding wreath and cross on globe; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 213; Depeyrot 70/1. 1.50g, 16mm, 6h.

Mint State; a lovely example.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 425. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Theodosius II enthroned and Valentinian III standing, both in consular robes, each holding mappa and cruciform sceptre; star above, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 234; MIRB 22; Depeyrot 78/1. 4.41g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 90., 18 November 2021, lot 1399.

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Δ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.52g, 21mm, 7h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

780.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Δ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.46g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

781.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Γ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.49g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; highly lustrous, mirror-like surfaces.

From a private European collection.

782.

600

783.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 430-440. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX Θ, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h.

Near Mint State; ‘Λ’ graffito on obv.

From a private European collection.

784.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman motif / IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 285; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.45g, 21mm, 6h.

Mint State; highly lustrous.

Acquired from Naville Numismatics Ltd.

600

900

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII • COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 293; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.50g, 21mm, 6h. Mint State. 600

785.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII • COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 293; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.46g, 20mm, 6h.

Mint State.

From a private European collection.

786.

787.

600

788.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 307; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.49g, 22mm, 6h.

Fleur De Coin.

From a private European collection.

789.

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 309; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.45g, 22mm, 5h.

Fleur De Coin; highly lustrous, an exceptional example.

From a private European collection.

600

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP XXXXII COS • XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 310 var. (punctuation omitted after COS); Depeyrot 84/1. 4.47g, 21mm, 6h. Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

Theodosius II AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. D N THEODOSIVS • P • F • AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif / IMP • XXXXII COS XVII • P • P •, Constantinopolis seated to left, holding globus cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 310; Depeyrot 84/1. 4.48g, 22mm, 6h.

Near Mint State.

From a private European collection.

600

790.

Aelia Eudocia (wife of Theodosius II) AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 441-450. AEL EVDOCIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust to right, crowned by manus Dei / IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis enthroned to left, holding globe cruciger and sceptre, foot on prow, shield by throne; star in left field, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 296; Depeyrot 84/4 var. (CONOB). 4.46g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine. Rare.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 689.

791.

Valentinian III AV Solidus. Ravenna, AD 426-430. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing facing, holding long cross and victory on globe, foot on head of human-headed coiled serpent; R-V across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2010; Depeyrot 17/1.

NGC graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#6329094-017).

Acquired from Numismatics Ars Classica.

A Very Rare Consular Issue

793.

Valentinian III AV Solidus. Rome, AD 435. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, consular bust to left, wearing rosette-diadem, holding mappa and cruciform sceptre / VOT X MVLT XX, emperor enthroned facing, wearing crown and richly jewelled imperial consular robe, holding mappa and cruciform sceptre, R-M across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2034; Ranieri 99; Depeyrot 42/1. 4.41g, 21mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 332, 31 May 2017, lot 127;

Ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 240, 10 October 2016, lot 608;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 909;

Ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 98, 21 September 2015, lot 726.

This coin was struck to celebrate the joint consulate of Valentinian III with eastern emperor Theodosius II, at the same time as the decennial vows in AD 435. At no time during Valentinian’s long and turbulent reign were the affairs of state personally managed by him, who in his minority ruled first under the control of his mother Galla Placidia, and from 437, the magister militum Flavius Aetius.

900

600

Leo I AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 462 or 466. D N LEO PERPET AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield with horseman motif / VICTORIA AVCCC Z, Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long jewelled cross; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 605; Depeyrot 93/1. 4.49g, 21mm, 6h.

Good Extremely Fine.

Privately purchased from Numismatica Ars Classica AG.

450

794.