Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 174. Estimate CHF5750.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF15000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Aelia Eudoxia. Augusta, 400-404. Semissis (Gold, 2.22 g 6), Constantinople, 400-402. AEL EVDOXIA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Eudoxia to right Rev. Christogram within wreath; below, CONOB. RIC 18. Extremely rare. Extremely fine.

From the collections of a Gentleman and of G. Lacam, Dürr/Michel, 8 November 1999, 173.

Eudoxia was the daughter of Bauto the Frank who was consul in 385. She had a comfortable upbringing and was in close touch with the imperial family; she came in contact with Arcadius who married her on 27 April 395. They had seven children of whom four daughters and one son, Theodosius II, survived infancy; Eudoxia was proclaimed Augusta on 9 January 400 and unexpectedly died in childbirth in 404. She was a powerful personality who was much involved in church affairs, leading to a serious conflict with the outspoken and opinionated Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, which led to his banishment.