The New York Sale
Auction LI 12 Jan 2021
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Johannes. Gold Solidus (4.47 g), AD 423-425. Ravenna. D N IOHAN-NES P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Johannes right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing right, holding labarum and Victory on globe, spurning captive with foot; R-V//COMOB. RIC 1901; Depeyrot 12/1. Extremely Rare. NGC grade XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5. Flan flaw, edge bend. Estimated Value $2,500
Johannes was one of many ephemeral emperors of the Western Roman Empire. After Honorius' death in 423, the throne of the West remained vacant for three months. Honorius died childless, and his heir, the eastern emperor Theodosius II, either decided to rule a reunited Roman Empire from Constantinople or simply hesitated to nominate a successor to the throne as there was no suitable candidate. In the absence of a decision from Constantinople, Honorius's patrician, Castinus, elevated the civil servant Johannes to the throne. Johannes tried unsuccessfully to gain recognition from Theodosius, who in the meantime had elevated Valentinian III to the western throne, and when his efforts failed he knew that war was inevitable. He sent Aetius to seek an alliance with the Huns, but before there was an agreement the eastern troops marched, soon taking Ravenna where Johannes was overthrown after a reign of less than two years. In order to humiliate him his hand was amputated and he was paraded on the back of a donkey before a jeering populace, before finally being decapitated.
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
Johannes was one of many ephemeral emperors of the Western Roman Empire. After Honorius' death in 423, the throne of the West remained vacant for three months. Honorius died childless, and his heir, the eastern emperor Theodosius II, either decided to rule a reunited Roman Empire from Constantinople or simply hesitated to nominate a successor to the throne as there was no suitable candidate. In the absence of a decision from Constantinople, Honorius's patrician, Castinus, elevated the civil servant Johannes to the throne. Johannes tried unsuccessfully to gain recognition from Theodosius, who in the meantime had elevated Valentinian III to the western throne, and when his efforts failed he knew that war was inevitable. He sent Aetius to seek an alliance with the Huns, but before there was an agreement the eastern troops marched, soon taking Ravenna where Johannes was overthrown after a reign of less than two years. In order to humiliate him his hand was amputated and he was paraded on the back of a donkey before a jeering populace, before finally being decapitated.
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.