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RIC X Priscus Attalus 1404

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 414–AD 415

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Maker / issuer

Rome (ancient mint)

Solidus in gold struck at Rome under Priscus Attalus, AD 414–AD 415, catalogued as RIC X Priscus Attalus 1404. Obverse: Bust of Attalus, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right. Reverse: Roma, helmeted, draped, enthroned facing front, holding Victory on globe in right hand and inverted spear in left hand. Obverse legend: PRISCVS ATTA-LVS P F AVG. Reverse legend: INVICTA RO-MA AETERNA.

Related types with the same reverse, struck at other mints or with different marks or bust details, are consolidated here and listed under varieties: RIC X Priscus Attalus 1403.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
5
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

Priscus Attalus was a Roman senator and urban prefect of Rome who was twice proclaimed emperor in the West in opposition to Honorius. Elevated with Visigothic support, he reigned first in 409–410 under Alaric I and again in 414–415 under Athaulf. This solidus was struck during his second proclamation, representing the high-purity gold denomination that had replaced the aureus in the early 4th century. After his second reign collapsed, the Visigoths abandoned Attalus, leading to his capture, mutilation, and exile to Lipari.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Manufacture
Struck
Denomination
Solidus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Issuing authority
Priscus Attalus

Design

Obverse type
Bust of Attalus, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse type
Roma, helmeted, draped, enthroned facing front, holding Victory on globe in right hand and inverted spear in left hand
Obverse legend
PRISCVS ATTA-LVS P F AVG
Reverse legend
INVICTA RO-MA AETERNA

Identification

How to identify
RIC separates types by mint and officina marks, obverse legend and bust form, and reverse legend and type; check the exergue and field marks against the RIC number before accepting a match.
Type corpus record
https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.10.pr_att_w.1404
Catalogue reference
RIC X Priscus Attalus 1404
Type corpus identifier
ric.10.pr_att_w.1404
Source note
The type record is Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), the American Numismatic Society's digital edition of Roman Imperial Coinage.

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

Varieties

  • RIC X Priscus Attalus 1403

    Same ruler, denomination, reverse type and reverse legend; differs in mint, mint mark, officina or bust detail. Consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Nominal weight not transcribed from a primary reference
  • Diameter and die axis not transcribed
  • Mint mark and officina detail not transcribed
  • No rights-cleared photograph identified yet
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