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Orbis Collectibles

RIC X Arcadius 29

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC X Arcadius 29. Denomination: Solidus. Authority: Arcadius. Mint: Constantinople. The obverse shows bust of Arcadius, helmeted, pearl-diademed, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear in right hand behind head and shield decorated with horseman on left arm, with the legend D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG.

The reverse shows victory, winged, draped, seated right on cuirass with shield behind, pointing to a shield inscribed XX/XXX, supported on her left knee; star in left field, with the legend NOVA SPES RES 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. The eldest son of Augustus Theodosius I, he ruled the eastern half of the Roman Empire from the capital of Constantinople following his father's death in 395, while his brother Honorius governed the Western Roman Empire.

This gold coin was struck at the mint of Constantinople as a solidus, a highly pure gold denomination introduced in the early fourth century to replace the aureus. Functioning both as a commercial coin and as a unit of weight equal to 1⁄72 of a Roman pound, the solidus featured Arcadius's imperial titles alongside the reverse legend "NOVA SPES RES PVBLICAE". The design depicts a winged Victory seated upon a cuirass pointing to a shield inscribed "XX/XXX", accompanied by a star.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Denomination
Solidus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Constantinople
Authority
Arcadius

Design

Obverse
Bust of Arcadius, helmeted, pearl-diademed, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear in right hand behind head and shield decorated with horseman on left arm
Reverse
Victory, winged, draped, seated right on cuirass with shield behind, pointing to a shield inscribed XX/XXX, supported on her left knee; star in left field
Obverse legend
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Reverse legend
NOVA SPES RES PVBLICAE

Identification

Type reference
RIC X Arcadius 29
Denomination and metal
Solidus, Gold
Obverse legend to match
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Reverse legend to match
NOVA SPES RES 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

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.
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