Roman
Constantine I Gold Solidus of Antioch
AD 335–336
Issued for Constantine’s thirtieth regnal anniversary, this rare Antioch solidus joins the emperor’s jeweled diadem to Victory, trophy and the vows of three decades.
View Object RecordThe Ancient Gold Collection
Objects Preserved in Gold
A scholarly catalogue of ancient gold coinage, presented as individual historical records.
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Dynasty
13 objects
Roman
Constantine I Gold Solidus of Nicomedia
AD 335
A tricennial solidus from Nicomedia presents Constantine in the new jeweled diadem while Victory inscribes the vows of thirty years under the gaze of Genius.
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Roman
Constans Gold Solidus of Thessalonica
AD 337–350
The youthful portrait of Constans and an advancing Victory present continuity and triumph during the divided inheritance of Constantine the Great.
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Roman
Constans Gold Solidus of Aquileia
AD 337–350
Two Victories hold a votive wreath beneath the portrait of Constans, making anniversaries, consensus and successful rule visible in gold.
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Roman
Valens Gold Solidus
AD 364–378
Valens faces an emperor holding Victory and the labarum, combining personal command with the military and Christian emblems of late Roman sovereignty.
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Roman
Valentinian I Gold Solidus of Trier
AD 364–375
Struck at Trier, this solidus pairs Valentinian I with a victorious imperial scene that makes partnership and universal rule visible in gold.
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Roman
Arcadius Gold Solidus
AD 383–408
Arcadius faces the imperial capital across the coin, pairing a youthful ruler with Constantinopolis as the stable centre of eastern Roman authority.
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Roman
Honorius Gold Solidus
AD 393–423
Honorius appears in confronting military dress while Constantinopolis stands for the Roman order the western court struggled to preserve.
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Roman
Theodosius II Ceremonial Gold Solidus
AD 402–450
A frontal military portrait and a victorious imperial reverse transform the long reign of Theodosius II into an image of order, defence and sacred rule.
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Roman
Theodosius II Gold Solidus with Constantinopolis
AD 402–450
Theodosius II faces Constantinopolis, binding the ceremonial emperor to the fortified capital that defined the security of his long reign.
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Roman
Marcian Gold Solidus
AD 450–457
Marcian’s armoured portrait faces Victory and the long cross, presenting a short but stable reign as guarded by military command and sacred triumph.
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Roman
Leo I Gold Solidus
AD 457–474
A frontal military portrait and Victory with the long cross place Leo I between Roman command and a fully Christian language of triumph.
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Roman
Zeno Gold Solidus, Second Reign
AD 476–491
Struck as western imperial rule disappeared, Zeno’s solidus asserts that Roman authority survived in the East through armour, Victory and the cross.
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