Aelia Flaccilla. Augusta, AD 379-386/8. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius I, AD 383-384. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 126
Lot: 919.
Closing Date: May 29 2024 11:00 ET

The Family of Constantine Collection, Gold

Estimate: $ 20 000

BID NOW

Aelia Flaccilla. Augusta, AD 379-386/8. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.47 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius I, AD 383-384. Diademed, draped, and mantled bust right, wearing earring and necklace / Victory seated right, supporting shield set on column and left knee with left hand and inscribing Christogram on it with stylus; CONOB. RIC IX 48; Depeyrot 36/1; Biaggi 2308. Lightly toned with some underlying luster, trace deposits. EF. Very rare.

From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Leu 86 (5 May 2003), lot 1038 (hammer CHF 26,000).

Empress Aelia Flaccilla is venerated as Saint Aelia Flaccilla in the Orthodox Church partly on account of her pious and dedicated maintenance of the Nicene Creed during a time where heretical beliefs (namely Arianism) were rampant throughout the empire. In one notable instance, Sozomen recounts in his Historia Ecclesiastica that Flaccilla orchestrated denying an audience between the emperor, Theodosius I, and Eunomius of Cyzicus (a leader of the radical Anomoean sect of Arianism). Arians rejected that Christ was “begotten not made, of one being with the Father,” or “consubstantial,” and instead considered Christ to be a created being. The Anomoeans went further by stating that Christ was neither of like nature with the Father.

Empress Flaccilla was wary of the influence Eunomius might have on the emperor and his Orthodox beliefs. Sozomen recounts that, “[Eunomius’] reputation reached the ears of the emperor, who would gladly have held a conference with him; but the empress Flacilla studiously prevented any interview from taking place between them, for she feared lest Eunomius might, by his powers of disputation, induce a change in the sentiments of the emperor” (Sozomen, Book VII, Chapter 6). Evidentially, Flaccilla was successful as Eunomius eventually ran afoul of Theodosius’ declaration of faith and was among the rebel leaders who were banished.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 126 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 28-29 May 2024. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 29 May at 9 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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