Theodosius I AE Nummus Rome AD 394-395

 

Obverse: DN THEODO-SIVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: VRBS RO-MA FELIX, Roma standing facing, head right, holding Victory on globe in left hand and holding spear with trophy in right, shield to right at foot of Roma, OF in left field, Q in right

Mintmark SMROM

RIC IX Rome 67A/68A Subtype 3 (identical)

 

**EXTREMELY RARE FOR THEODOSIUS**

A common reverse type for Honorius and slightly scarce for Arcadius but EXTREMELY RARE for their father Theodosius; this type was issued twice, first after the Battle of the Frigidus where Theodosius defeated Arobogast and again in the early 5th Century; this is the earlier issue featuring Theodosius and would have been minted in a VERY brief period, as Theodosius died in January 395; currently OCRE and Nummus-Bible list a combined FIVE specimen with auction archives adding ZERO

This reverse type is known mostly from issues of Honorius as stated at the top, and the irony is quite thick, as the reverse translates to 'Lucky City of Rome' or thereabouts; we know that Alaric laid siege to Rome several times in the early 5th Century, eventually entering Roma and carrying out a 'polite sack' of the city, especially when compared to the Vandal sack later in the century (and where we get the word Vandalize as well); thus when this coin was issued for Theodosius in late AD 394 to very early AD 395, Rome was actually still very much VRBS ROMA FELIX, it would be after the murder of Stilicho that things would take a turn for the worst, and the West would never recover



All coins are authentic and from my own personal collection. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Over the coming weeks I will be adding more fixed price listings of Late Roman Bronze Coins so please check back with me.

If there is any specific type you are looking for let me know. I have an extensive Late Antique collection with AE and some AR issues dating from the mid 3rd Century AD to the 8th Century AD

I strive to make accurate impressions of the coins I list, thus my listings tend to have a multitude of photos, taken under different light sources and from different angles, as there is nothing worse (in my opinion) than purchasing a coin and having it arrive looking nothing like the photo!

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