Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 24 3-6 Dec 2022
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Galla Placidia, Augusta, 421-450. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.48 g, 6 h), Constantinopolis, circa 443-450. GALLA PLA-CIDIA AVG Pearl-diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia to right; above, manus dei holding wreath. Rev. IMP XXXXII•COS XVII•P•P• / COMOB Constantinopolis seated left, holding globus cruciger in her right hand and scepter in her left; shield at her side; in field to left, star. Depeyrot 84/6. RIC -, cf. 305 and 317 (differing punctuation on reverse). An extremely rare variety. Minor marks and with a few light deposits, otherwise, very fine.
From a collection formed in the Rhineland (with collector's ticket), privately acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter in November 1997.
Galla Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, and one of the most influential figures in late Roman politics. Born in circa 391-394, she became a pawn in the hands of the powerful early on, in particular after she was captured by Alaric in 408 and married to his successor Athaulf. Both of her sons from this relationship, Theodosius and Athaulf, died at a very young age, and she was eventually released from Gothic captivity in 416 after her husband was assassinated. Back in Ravenna, her half-brother, Honorius, forced her to marry the new strong man, Constantius III, in 417, with whom she had a daughter, Honoria (*418), and another son, Valentinian (*419). The latter became a central figure in the Western Roman Empire when both Constantius III and Honorius died in 421 and 423, respectively, as he was appointed to Caesar by Theodosius II in 424 and to Augustus in 425 after the defeat of the usurper Johannes (423-425).
Valentinian III was only six years old and his mother Galla Placidia now ruled the West de facto as regent with the help of the various rivalling magistri militum, whom she played off against each other. By the mid 430s, however, the general Flavius Aëtius emerged as the winner of the infighting within the officer corps, which drastically reduced Galla's influence, all the more since Valentinian was rapidly approaching maturity. In 437, the emperor turned eighteen, and his mother stepped down as regent and retreated to Rome, where she died on 27 November 450.
From a collection formed in the Rhineland (with collector's ticket), privately acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter in November 1997.
Galla Placidia was the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, and one of the most influential figures in late Roman politics. Born in circa 391-394, she became a pawn in the hands of the powerful early on, in particular after she was captured by Alaric in 408 and married to his successor Athaulf. Both of her sons from this relationship, Theodosius and Athaulf, died at a very young age, and she was eventually released from Gothic captivity in 416 after her husband was assassinated. Back in Ravenna, her half-brother, Honorius, forced her to marry the new strong man, Constantius III, in 417, with whom she had a daughter, Honoria (*418), and another son, Valentinian (*419). The latter became a central figure in the Western Roman Empire when both Constantius III and Honorius died in 421 and 423, respectively, as he was appointed to Caesar by Theodosius II in 424 and to Augustus in 425 after the defeat of the usurper Johannes (423-425).
Valentinian III was only six years old and his mother Galla Placidia now ruled the West de facto as regent with the help of the various rivalling magistri militum, whom she played off against each other. By the mid 430s, however, the general Flavius Aëtius emerged as the winner of the infighting within the officer corps, which drastically reduced Galla's influence, all the more since Valentinian was rapidly approaching maturity. In 437, the emperor turned eighteen, and his mother stepped down as regent and retreated to Rome, where she died on 27 November 450.