Solidus of Theodosius II, Constantinople
430 - 440 CE
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 enemy. Reverse: Constantinople enthroned to l., holding cross on globe and scepter, her l. foot on a prow. Star in field r. Officina (I) 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.
Related Artworks
View MoreSilver
5th century BCEGreekBronze
2nd century CERomanSilver
3rd-2nd century BCEGreekSilver
3rd century CERomanSilver
1st century BCERoman Imperialsilver
1st century BCERoman RepublicanBillon
3rd century CERomanBronze
3rd century BCEGreekBillon
11th-12th centuryCrusaderBronze
5th centuryByzantineSilver
6th century BCEGreekBronze
1st century BCEJewish