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Home > Catalog > |Roman Coins| > |The Late Empire| > |Theodosius II| > SH10973 Theodosius II, 10 January 402 - 28 July 450 A.D.  "The 'Solidus' was a revision instituted about 310 by Constantine I to the Roman gold coin standard, the 'aureus'. The aureus weight had fluctuated but settled at five to the Roman ounce, which meant that it was not a standard weight since the Romans had no name for a fifth of an ounce. Constantine I struck solidi at six to the ounce, which equaled the Roman weight unit of the 'sextula'. Solidi were struck at about 98% fineness and were 20-21 mm's in diameter. With the defeat of the Licinii by Constantine in 324 the solidus became the standard Roman gold coin and remained so for over 600 years." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerSH10973. Gold solidus, RIC X Theodosius II 204, VF, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 4.399g, maximum diameter 21.2mm, die axis 180o, 411 A.D.; obverse D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, helmeted pearl-diademed, cuirassed, bust facing, spear in right hand over shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy on left arm; reverse CONCORDIA AVGG Z (harmony between the two emperors, 7th officina), Constantinopolis enthroned facing, scepter in right, shield inscribed X / VOT / XX in left, star left, CONOB in exergue; rare (R3); SOLD  |