393-423 AD Western Roman Empire Honorius Gold Solidus NGC Choice Extremely Fine 5x4

The gold solidus of Honorius stands as one of the most historically resonant coins of the late Roman world, minted as the Western Empire faced mounting pressure from barbarian incursions on every frontier. Honorius reigned from 393 to 423 AD, a period that witnessed the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410 - among the most catastrophic events of antiquity - while the emperor himself remained in the relative safety of Ravenna. This solidus was struck at the Ravenna mint, the imperial seat Honorius chose over Rome, making it a direct artifact of that pivotal and troubled era.

This coin is far more rare than the price implies. Only 690 are certified in all grades combined, with many having problems such as cleaning or edge filing.  This particular example is brilliant with great centering on both sides.  Most notably, a lower graded Choice Very Fine example with edge filing, edge bends, and a punch mark sold publicly recently for over $1500, making us believe the current example is well worth the asking price!

The obverse presents a right-facing bust of Honorius in military attire, wearing a pearl diadem and paludamentum, with the legend reading DN HONORIVS PF AVG rendered in bold relief around the portrait. The engraving captures the idealized authority of a late Roman emperor with clear device definition and a well-struck portrait for the issue. On the reverse, the emperor stands triumphantly in military dress with foot placed upon a bound captive, holding a long cross and a Victory on globe, with the legend VICTORIA AVGGG encircling - a powerful imperial proclamation of victory even as the empire contracted. The exergue reads COMOB, the standard Ravenna mint mark for this type.

NGC has certified this solidus Choice Extremely Fine with a Strike of 5 and Surface of 4, reflecting a coin with exceptional strike sharpness and surfaces that retain their original gold luster with only minor field marks consistent with the grade. The late Roman gold solidus type enjoys enduring collector demand as a tangible link to the final decades of Western Roman imperial authority. For those seeking a high-quality, certified example of this historically significant reign, this coin presents a compelling opportunity. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

For questions about this coin or to confirm availability and pricing, call us at 800-928-6468.