Solidus of Theodosius II and Valentinian III (Cleveland Museum of Art 1968.54)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
408–425 CE
Byzantine Gold Coins The vast number of surviving Byzantine coins attests to the level of trade across the empire. Controlled and supervised by the emperor, the producers of coins took care to represent his authority and reflect his stature.
Talented artists were recruited to engrave the dies (molds) used for the striking of coins. Emperors increasingly came to include their heirs and co-emperors on their coinage, as well as other family members or even earlier rulers. Coins were recognized, then as now, as small, portable works of art. With their inscriptions and images, Byzantine coins provide valuable documentation of historical events and a record of the physical appearance of the emperors.
The coins shown here include the solidus, the basic gold coin of 24 karats; the tremissis, a gold coin of one-third the weight and value of the solidus; and the nomisma, which in the 10th century replaced the solidus as the standard gold coin. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1968.54: Solidus of Theodosius II and Valentinian III , 408–425 CE. Byzantium, Constantinople, Byzantine period. Gold; diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.).
Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Identification
- Date recorded
- 408–425 CE
- Culture period
- Byzantium, Constantinople, Byzantine period
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1968.54
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references (e.g. SNG, RPC, RIC) against numismatic literature.