Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
Marcian, 24 August 450 - 31 January 457 A.D.
At the beginning of Marcian's reign, the Eastern Roman treasury was almost bankrupt, due to the huge tributes paid to Attila by Theodosius. Marcian reversed this near bankruptcy not by levying new taxes, but rather by cutting expenditures. Upon his accession, he declared a remission of all debts owed to the state. Marcian attempted to improve the efficiency of the state in multiple ways, such as mandating that the praetorship must be given to senators residing in Constantinople, attempted to curb the practice of selling administrative offices, and decreed that consuls would be responsible for the maintenance of Constantinople's aqueducts. He repealed the Follis, a tax on senators' property which amounted to seven pounds of gold per year. Marcian removed the financial responsibilities of the consuls and praetors, who had since the time of the Roman Republic been responsible for funding the public sports games or giving wealth to the citizens of Constantinople, respectively; additionally, he made it such that only the Vir illustris could hold either office. By the time of his death, Marcian's shrewd cutting of expenditures and avoidance of large-scale wars left the Eastern Roman treasury with a surplus of 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) of gold.SH18897. Gold solidus, DOCLR 481 (also 7th officina), Ratto 217, RIC X Marcian 510, Hahn MIB 5, SRCV V 21379, Choice aMS, nice strike, tiny scratch on reverse at Victory's right hip,, 7th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 4.476g, maximum diameter 20.9mm, die axis 180o, obverse D N MARCIA-NVS P F AV, diademed (with jewel), helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holds spear and shield; reverse VICTORI-A AVCCC Z (victory of the three emperors, 7th officina), Victory standing facing, head left, holds a long jeweled cross which rests on ground, star right, CONOB in exergue; the officina appears to have been recut, from a die for the 10th officina (I); scarce; SOLD
OBVERSE| LEGENDS|
REFERENCES|
Page created in 0.906 seconds.
