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RIC X Honorius 1331

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC X Honorius 1331. Denomination: Solidus. Authority: Honorius. Mint: Ravenna. The obverse shows bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed with plain jewel, draped, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear facing front in right hand and shield with Chi-Rho on left arm, with the legend D N HONORI-VS P F AVG.

The reverse shows roma and Constantinopolis (?), both helmeted, draped, seated left and right on cuirasses respectively, heads front, supporting a shield inscribed VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXX; palm between them.

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

Honorius was Roman emperor from 393 to 423, ruling the western half of the empire following the death of his father, Theodosius I, in 395. His elder brother Arcadius governed the eastern half. Initially under the regency of Stilicho, Honorius oversaw a precarious and chaotic reign over the Western Roman Empire, which included the sack of Rome in 410.

This gold solidus was produced at the mint of Ravenna. Introduced in the early fourth century as a replacement for the aureus, the solidus served as a highly pure gold coin and acted as the primary gold denomination of commerce in Western Europe from late Roman times into the Early Middle Ages. The reverse displays Roma and Constantinopolis seated upon cuirasses and holding a shield inscribed with the votive formula "VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXX", set alongside a palm, while the obverse depicts Honorius holding a spear and a shield bearing a Chi-Rho, accompanied by the legend "D N HONORI-VS P F AVG".

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Denomination
Solidus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Ravenna
Authority
Honorius

Design

Obverse
Bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed with plain jewel, draped, cuirassed, facing front, holding spear facing front in right hand and shield with Chi-Rho on left arm
Reverse
Roma and Constantinopolis (?), both helmeted, draped, seated left and right on cuirasses respectively, heads front, supporting a shield inscribed VOT/XXX/MVLT/XXXX; palm between them
Obverse legend
D N HONORI-VS P F AVG
Reverse legend
Research required

Identification

Type reference
RIC X Honorius 1331
Denomination and metal
Solidus, Gold
Obverse legend to match
D N HONORI-VS P F AVG
Reverse legend to match
Research required
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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