Ruler of the Western Roman Empire
Honorius became Roman Emperor at the age of 10. He ruled the Western Roman Empire from 393 to 423 AD. His reign is often associated with the fall of the empire.
Honorius was born in 384 AD, the son of Emperor Theodosius I, who was the last emperor to rule over both the Eastern and Western parts of the Roman Empire.
In 393 AD, when he was only 9 years old, Honorius was declared Augustus (co-emperor) by his father, and after Theodosius’s death in 395, he became the ruler of the Western Roman Empire. His brother, Arcadius, ruled the Eastern Roman Empire.
Being so young when he ascended to the throne, Honorius was heavily influenced by advisors and generals, especially Stilicho, who acted as his regent and controlled much of the military and administrative affairs of the empire.
Stilicho was a skilled general and managed to defend the empire from various threats, including invasions by the Visigoths, until his execution in 408, which left Honorius in a much more vulnerable position.
The empire faced internal revolts, external invasions, and financial difficulties during Honorius’s reign. Several provinces, including Britain and parts of Gaul and Spain, began to break away from imperial control.
Barbarian groups like the Visigoths, Vandals, and others were increasingly establishing independent kingdoms within the empire’s borders.
Honorius died in 423 AD, leaving no heir, which triggered a brief period of instability before his nephew, Valentinian III, was installed as emperor.
As with other Roman emperors, Honorius issued coins in gold, silver, and bronze.
The most common gold coin during Honorius’s reign was the solidus. The solidus was introduced by Constantine the Great and remained the standard Roman gold coin for centuries.
Honorius’s solidi typically weighed around 4.5 grams and were used for large transactions and military payments.
The silver coinage of Honorius was rare and consisted primarily of the siliqua, a small silver coin that was issued for trade and official payments.
The bronze coins were mostly nummi or AE coins of various denominations. By this time, bronze coins had become heavily debased, containing very little actual copper.
Roman Empire (420-423) Honorius 393-423 – AV Tremissis, Constantinopolis unc
7,710.00 US$
Catalog: Cohen – (cf. 46) | RIC — (cf. 212) Depeyrot — (cf. pag. 248, 58/2) | RRRR
Weight 1,50 gr. | Gold Ø 16mm.
Obv. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Honorius to right, surrounded by the legend DN HONORIVS P F AVG
Rev. Victory advancing to front, head to left, holding wreath in her right, hand and globus cruciger in her left, in field to right, star, in field to left. Chi-Rho monogram, surrounded by the legend VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
On this coin we see the addition of the Chi-Rho monogram in the left field on the reverse. We know of an extremely rare tremissis of Emperor Theodosius II of this type (RIC X, pp. 256, 216 | R5), but for Honorius this type was unknown until now. This piece is unpublished in the reference literature and it seems to be a unique coin.
Sharply struck and fully lustrous, an exceptional piece. Virtually as struck.
Honorius, AD 393-423 Western Roman Empire AV Solidus
2,975.00 US$
Mintage: 1
NGC Certification number: 6062405-007
Grade: MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Pedigree: foot on bound captive.
Weight: 4.41 gr. – Diameter: 21mm
Mint Mark: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
Reason for ‘Details’ Rating: edge flaw
Notation: Milan. rv emperor with
NGC MS 5/5 – 4/5, edge flaw. Milan, AD 395-402. D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Honorius right, seen from front / VICTORI-A AVGGG, Honorius standing facing, head right, left foot on reclining captive, grounded labarum in right hand, Victory standing left on globe in outstretched left hand; M-D across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 1206. Gorgeous tiger eye flan with shining surfaces.
Ex Ed’s Treasures Collection
Roman Empire 404 – 408 AD. Honorius AU Solidus – VICTORI-A AVGGG (NGC Ch AU)
2,585.00 US$
Catalog: RIC X 1252
Weight: 4.32 g
NGC certification number: 6830238-019
Grade: Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Pedigree: foot on bound captive.
Strike: Strike: 5/5
Surface: Surface: 4/5
Mint Mark: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
Notation: Rome. rv emperor
Year: Honorius, AD 393-423
Obv: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, Bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right.
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG, Honorius, draped, cuirassed, standing right, holding standard in right hand and Victory on globe in left hand; spurning seated bound captive with left foot. M/D in fields, Mintmark: COMOB
404 – 408 AD. · Rome Mint · RIC X 1252
Honorius Solidus 395-402 AD Mediolanum, Emperor and lying prisoner, BU
2,495.00 US$
Weight: 4.47 gr. – Diameter: 21mm)
Catalog: RIC 1206b, Depeyrot 16/2.
Obverse: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, bust with pearl diadem, paludamentum and breastplate facing right.
Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG / M – D (in the fields) / COM OB (in the excise), emperor with labarum and Victorienglobus facing left, head facing right, putting foot on reclining Captivus.
Small stamp defects. Uncirculated superb specimen with full uncirculated brilliance.
Roman Empire AV Gold Solidus 397-402 A.D. Honorius, Thessalonica mint scarce/rare issue – VF+/EF
2,490.00 US$
Weight: 4.38 g – Diameter: 21.00 mm
Catalog: RIC X 38; Depeyrot 44/2
Obverse: D N HONORIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield; Christogram on breast
Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated to right, holding sceptre and Victory on globe, foot on prow; COMOB in exergue
Roman Empire Solidus 393-395 Honorius CH UNC
2,100.00 US$
Catalog: RIC
Weight: 4.44 g – Diameter: 20.00 mm
Obverse: Bust with pearl diadem, paludament and armor.
Inscription: D N HONORI – VS P F AVG.
Reverse: Emperor in field uniform standing to the right with standard in right hand and Victoria on globe in left hand, left foot placed on a prisoner.
Inscription: VICTORIA – A AVGG B/ S-M/ COMB.
Very good centric strike.
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