Solidus of Marcian, Constantinople

Artists

Description

Obverse: Helmeted bust, pearl-diademed, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over r. shoulder behind head, on l. arm shield decorated with horseman spearing down enemy. Reverse: Victory standing to l., supporting long jewelled cross; star in r. field. Officina (Z) at end of legend; CONOB in exergue.

Dimensions

4.46g

Provenance

Jane Ayer Scott, Newton MA (-2008), by inheritance; to her husband Wellington F. Scott III, (2008-2010), gift; to The Harvard Art Museums, 2010. There is no further information available about where Jane Scott purchased the coin. Byzantine coins, even gold solidi, were struck by the millions and circulated widely in the Byzantine Empire from Spain, Italy to Greece, Bulgaria, the Balkans, Israel, Turkey and Syria.