Aelia Pulcheria. Augusta, AD 414-453. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck AD 414. VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 929. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 2 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Aelia Pulcheria. Augusta, AD 414-453. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.42 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck AD 414. AEL PVLCH ERIA AVG, pearl-diademed and draped bust right, wearing earring and necklace; being crowned by manus Dei above / SALVS REI PUBLICAE, Victory, draped, seated right on cuirass and shield, holding stylus in right hand and inscribing Christogram on shield, supported by left hand and set on left knee; star to left; CONOB. RIC X 205; Depeyrot 60/2. Lightly toned with some luster, edge marks, light scratches. VF. Rare.

Aelia Pulcheria, the daughter, sister and wife to three different East Roman emperors, played a critical role in maintaining the stability of the East Roman regime in the tumultuous early to mid fifth century AD. Born circa AD 398 to Arcadius and Aelia Eudoxia, she had a far more forceful and dominating personality than her timid younger brother, Theodosius II. When Arcadius died in AD 408 and Theodosius ascended the throne at the age of seven, Pulcheria took upon the role of her brother's protector. In AD 414, she came of age and the Senate declared her Augusta, or Empress, whereupon she dismissed the powerful Praetorian prefects who had been controlling the government and took over the regency herself. She declared her intent to remain a virgin (possibly to avoid a political marriage and an end to her independent power), and devoted herself to the Church, which was playing an increasingly dominant role in the East Roman government. When Theodosius was killed in a riding accident in AD 450, Pulcheria briefly ruled as sole empress before bowing to demands that she marry. She wisely chose the lowborn but capable Marcian, who proved to be the strong, even-handed ruler the Empire needed. Pulcheria died in AD 453, having kept her vows of virginity and defense of her Imperial dynasty for a half-century.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Three – Lot 648–983 will be held Wednesday morning, 10 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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