Justa Grata Honoria. Augusta, circa AD 426-450. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.41 g, 12h). Ravenna mint. Struck AD 439. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 126
Lot: 934.
Closing Date: May 29 2024 11:00 ET

The Family of Constantine Collection, Gold

Estimate: $ 5 000

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Justa Grata Honoria. Augusta, circa AD 426-450. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.41 g, 12h). Ravenna mint. Struck AD 439. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right, wearing earring and necklace; being crowned by manus Dei above / Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross; star to upper left; R|V//COMOB. RIC X 2022; Ranieri 87-89; Depeyrot 15/1; Biaggi 2360. Some underlying luster, doubling, a few tiny metal flaws, minor marks. EF.

From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Tkalec (19 February 2001), lot 433.

Honoria was sister to the emperor Valentinian III. She was to be married to a Roman Senator named Bassus Herculanus, but she had no interest in this union and sought aid from the already infamous Hun, Atilla. In the Spring of 450, she sent him her ring and a plea for help. Whether Honoria intended this to be an invitation to wed is uncertain, but Atilla took it as such and accepted, asking for half the Western Empire as his dowry. In 452 he unsuccessfully invaded northern Italy after negotiations with Rome failed. Little is known of Honoria’s fate from this point on other than a brief exile and possible time in a Constantinople convent.

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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