RIC X Arcadius 28
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC X Arcadius 28. Denomination: Solidus. Authority: Arcadius. Mint: Constantinople. The obverse shows bust of Eudoxia, pearl-diademed, draped, right, wearing necklace and earrings, crowned by Hand of God, with the legend AEL EVDO-XIA AVG.
The reverse shows victory, winged, draped, seated right on cuirass with shield behind, pointing to a shield inscribed with a single-lined ☧, supported on her left knee, with the legend SALVS REI - PVBLICAE.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Arcadius was Roman emperor from 383 until his death on 1 May 408. Following the death of his father, Theodosius I, in 395, Arcadius governed the eastern half of the Roman Empire, while his brother Honorius held the western half. Contemporaries viewed Arcadius as a weak ruler dominated by influential ministers and by his wife, Aelia Eudoxia.
Struck at the mint of Constantinople, this gold solidus belongs to the highly pure coinage introduced in the early fourth century to replace the aureus. Functioning as a standard coin in the Later Roman Empire, the solidus weighed around 4.45 grams. The obverse features the portrait of Arcadius's wife accompanied by the legend "AEL EVDO-XIA AVG", being crowned by the Hand of God.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gold
- Denomination
- Solidus
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Constantinople
- Authority
- Arcadius
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Eudoxia, pearl-diademed, draped, right, wearing necklace and earrings, crowned by Hand of God
- Reverse
- Victory, winged, draped, seated right on cuirass with shield behind, pointing to a shield inscribed with a single-lined ☧, supported on her left knee
- Obverse legend
- AEL EVDO-XIA AVG
- Reverse legend
- SALVS REI - PVBLICAE
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC X Arcadius 28
- Denomination and metal
- Solidus, Gold
- Obverse legend to match
- AEL EVDO-XIA AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- SALVS REI - PVBLICAE
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- 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
- RIC / OCREric.10.arc_e.28
Varieties
RIC X Arcadius 14
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.