The New York Sale
Auction LI 12 Jan 2021
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Galla Placidia. Gold Tremissis (1.45 g), Augusta, AD 421-450. Rome or Ravenna, ca. 440-450. D N GALLA PLA-CIDIA P F AVG, diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia right, with cross on shoulder. Reverse: Christogram within wreath; COMOB. Cf. RIC 2066 (cross within wreath); Depeyrot (Rome) 47/12. Extremely Rare. NGC grade Ch XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Slightly wavy, light scuff. Estimated Value $1,000
Galla Placidia was a daughter of Theodosius I and half-sister of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius. In 410 she was taken hostage by the Goths and subsequently married to the Gothic king Ataulf. After his death, she was released back to the Romans in exchange for 600,000 modii of wheat. She subsequently married the Roman general Constantius, who in 421 became emperor. Her son, Valentinian III, ascended the western throne in 425, and as he was very young she led the affairs of state for more than a decade. This variety of Galla Placidia's tremisses, with a Christogram in wreath as opposed to a cross, is not recorded in RIC. RIC 1343 does have a Christogram but is of much finer style and lacks the cross seen here on Placidia's shoulder. However, several examples of this type have appeared on the market, and it is recorded in Depeyrot (27 examples).
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
Galla Placidia was a daughter of Theodosius I and half-sister of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius. In 410 she was taken hostage by the Goths and subsequently married to the Gothic king Ataulf. After his death, she was released back to the Romans in exchange for 600,000 modii of wheat. She subsequently married the Roman general Constantius, who in 421 became emperor. Her son, Valentinian III, ascended the western throne in 425, and as he was very young she led the affairs of state for more than a decade. This variety of Galla Placidia's tremisses, with a Christogram in wreath as opposed to a cross, is not recorded in RIC. RIC 1343 does have a Christogram but is of much finer style and lacks the cross seen here on Placidia's shoulder. However, several examples of this type have appeared on the market, and it is recorded in Depeyrot (27 examples).
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.