Aelia Pulcheria. Augusta, AD 414-453. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.31 g, 12h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius II, AD 443-450. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 129
Lot: 591.
Closing Date: May 14 2025 11:00 ET

Roman Imperial, Gold

Estimate: $ 3 000

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Aelia Pulcheria. Augusta, AD 414-453. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.31 g, 12h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Theodosius II, AD 443-450. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right, wearing earring and necklace; being crowned by manus Dei above / Constantinopolis seated left, holding globus cruciger and scepter, foot on prow; shield to right; * to left; COMOB. RIC X 316 var. (number of punctuation marks); Depeyrot 84/3; Füeg, Corpus 32.5 (this coin). Toned. Near EF. Rare. This coin appears to have four punctuation pellets, a combination not recorded in RIC X for Pulcheria. Füeg & Elks note that this coin is obverse die-linked to the RIC X 288 coins but not its reverse.

From the G. Savonarola Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 108 (16 May 2018), lot 701; Heritage 3021 (6 January 2013), lot 21431.

The sister of Emperor Theodosius II, Aelia Pulcheria, was a major force in the life of the young emperor. Governing him as a young man until he came of age, Pulcheria prepared the emperor for his duties and served as a constant guiding voice and counselor to him. Present throughout his accomplishments and major events, Pulcheria eventually emerged the victor in the rivalry that developed between her and her brother’s wife, Aelia Eudocia, who was consequently dismissed from court. While she was a teenager, Pulcheria took a vow of virginity which she maintained until her death. This dedication to God inspired some of Theodosius’ imperial propaganda during wars with the Sasanian Persians, and the Romans considered Pulcheria’s pious dedication of her virginity to be a source of blessing upon the Empire from God. Theodosius died unexpectedly after being mortally injured during a hunting accident in AD 450. Upon his death, Pulcheria was tasked with appointing his successor. She chose a man of Roman stock, though not of nobility, named Marcian. She married the new emperor on the condition that he not make her violate her vow of virginity, to which Marcian agreed. This unconventional marriage was made possible by church officials, who sponsored the agreement and decreed that God approved of the union and arrangement.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 13 May at 2 PM 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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