Solidus of Theodosius I with Seated Victory

Place of OriginTurkey, Istanbul

Date388-393 CE

DimensionsDiam: 22 mm

MediumGold

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LineGift of Mrs. George E. Pomeroy

Object number

1924.142

Not on View

DescriptionA gold solidus (22 mm) struck in Constantinople. Obverse: Profile bust of Theodosius I facing right, wearing a pearl diadem, draped and cuirassed. Legend: D N THEODOSIUS P F AUG (Our Lord Theodosius, Pious Happy Augustus). Reverse: Winged Victory seated to the right on a cuirass, inscribing a shield supported on her knee. The shield bears the inscription VOT / X / MULT / XX (Vows of the Tenth Anniversary, Multiples of the Twentieth). Legend: VICTORIA AUGUSTORUM (Victory of the Emperors). Exergue: CONOB.

Label TextThis gold coin portrays Theodosius I, also known as "Theodosius the Great," the last emperor to rule both the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire. The reverse side celebrates his Decennalia, or tenth anniversary on the throne, with the inscription VOT X MULT XX ("Vows of the 10th year, pledging for the 20th"). The image features a seated Victory inscribing these vows onto a shield. Theodosius is historically pivotal for making Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire, effectively ending state support for traditional pagan polytheism.