Solidus of Honorius, Constantinople

Artists

Description

Obv.: Helmeted bust of Honorius, facing, diademed, cuirassed, spear in right hand over shoulder, on left arm shield decorated with horseman spearing down enemy. Rev.: Constantinople enthroned facing, head turned to right, holding scepter and Victory on globe, her left foot on a prow. Star in field left. Officina (E) at end of legend; CONOB in exergue.

Dimensions

4.48g

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.