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RIC IX Constantinople 43A

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 378–AD 383

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Solidus in gold struck at Constantinople under Theodosius I, AD 378–AD 383, catalogued as RIC IX Constantinople 43A. Obverse: Bust of Gratian, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed, right. Reverse: Constantinopolis, head right, seated facing on high-backed throne, holding sceptre and globe, right foot on prow. Obverse legend: D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG. Reverse legend: CONCOR-DIA AVGGG.

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 IX Constantinople 43B.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
6
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

Gratian ruled as emperor of the Western Roman Empire from 367 to 383, having been raised to Augustus as a child by his father, Valentinian I. Following the death of the eastern emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople, Gratian elevated Theodosius I to replace him in 379. This gold solidus, a denomination introduced in the early 4th century to replace the aureus, was struck in Constantinople under Theodosius I while bearing Gratian's portrait.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Manufacture
Struck
Denomination
Solidus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Constantinople
Issuing authority
Theodosius I

Design

Obverse type
Bust of Gratian, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed, right
Reverse type
Constantinopolis, head right, seated facing on high-backed throne, holding sceptre and globe, right foot on prow
Obverse legend
D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG
Reverse legend
CONCOR-DIA AVGGG

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.9.cnp.43A
Catalogue reference
RIC IX Constantinople 43A
Type corpus identifier
ric.9.cnp.43A
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 IX Constantinople 43B

    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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