An unusual Honorius solidus?

[Bannerknight]

Solidi of Honorius from Ravenna are quite common with some differences in style and artistry. For example, in early mintages from 402 onward, Honorius is often pictured with a slender bust, although larger busts are not unusual. But in the issue of Honorius on the reverse holding a labarum and with a captive underneath his foot, Victory is always described as standing on the orb in the emperor's left hand. In my coin below, Victory is flying above the globe. I have not come across a similar die on Acsearch or CoinArchives. Does this make this solidus unusual? Or could it be wear?

Honorius, Solidus, Ravenna, 402-406, normal bust, 4,45 g. 

Obverse: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed normal bust of Honorius to right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG / R - V / COMOB. Honorius standing front, head to right, his left foot set on bound captive seated left, holding labarum in his right hand and crowning Victory above globe in his left. Depeyrot 7/2. RIC X 1287. Sear 20919.

 

[Hrefn]

@Bannerknight, At first glance, it looks like an imperial product from Ravenna.  The flying Nike is charming, and I like it a lot.   I do not think the aerial acrobatics are secondary to wear.  I can’t put my finger on my solidus of Honorius, and it is from Thessalonica, anyway.  But here are two examples of his brother, Arcadius, struck by Honorius in Mediolanum.  On both, Nike has not reached escape velocity.  

 

 Arcadius ruled 383-408 AD.  This coin struck struck circa Ad 394. Son of Theodosius I,  the Great.  He received the eastern half of the empire while Honorius got the West.  Gold Solidus of Milan, as the Augusti struck coins for one another.  Obverse:  Arcadius profile facing right, pearl diadem, draped and cuirassed. DNARCADI USPFAUG.  Reverse:  emperor trampling a bearded and trousered captive, labarum and globus with Victory with wreath. VICTORI AAUGGG, in exergue COMOB,  M - D in the field.   

Purchased 3/17/90 from William B. Warden, Jr.

 

This example is from Triton VI #1126,  January 2003.  Like the example above, the three “CCC” reverse suggests three Augusti.  If so, this would date from the accession of Arcadius’ younger brother Honorius, in 393 AD till the death of their father Theodosius I in early 395.  I think.   Experts on late Roman gold are invited to weigh in.  Purchased  January 2003.

[Al Kowsky]

6 hours ago, Bannerknight said:

Solidi of Honorius from Ravenna are quite common with some differences in style and artistry. For example, in early mintages from 402 onward, Honorius is often pictured with a slender bust, although larger busts are not unusual. But in the issue of Honorius on the reverse holding a labarum and with a captive underneath his foot, Victory is always described as standing on the orb in the emperor's left hand. In my coin below, Victory is flying above the globe. I have not come across a similar die on Acsearch or CoinArchives. Does this make this solidus unusual? Or could it be wear?

Honorius, Solidus, Ravenna, 402-406, normal bust, 4,45 g. 

Obverse: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed normal bust of Honorius to right. Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGG / R - V / COMOB. Honorius standing front, head to right, his left foot set on bound captive seated left, holding labarum in his right hand and crowning Victory above globe in his left. Depeyrot 7/2. RIC X 1287. Sear 20919.

 

I agree with Hrefn, the anomaly on your coin is certainly not caused by wear 😉. Pictured below is a solidus of Honorius struck at the Ravenna mint from my collection.

                

 

 

[Tejas]

17 hours ago, Hrefn said:

This example is from Triton VI #1126,  January 2003.  Like the example above, the three “CCC” reverse suggests three Augusti. 

I think the CCC or GGG should be read as "the multitude of augusti". The Romans counted here: 1, 2, many. So even if there had been a fourth Augustus, they would write CCC or GGG. 

In any case, I think the "flying" Victoria is a nice die variation on a type that was produced in large numbers with many different dies. In addition, the reverse die was at the end of it life, which resulted in the loss of parts of Victoria's legs making her appear to fly above the globe.

Below is a coin (NOT my coin), which shows a similarly forward leaning Victoria, but with the leg still attached to the globe.

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Tejas

[Tejas]

Below are two Honorius solidi from my collection, from the mints of Rome and Milan.

The first one dates to around 404 to 408, i.e. after the death of Theodosius I. Yet, the coin shows CCC/GGG as all solidi of this reverse type do.

The second coin dated to 395 to 402.

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Tejas

[Bannerknight]

I believe the custom of using CCC/GGG in the East was continued on solidi until Justin II (565-578) as a symbol of the unity of empire. The use of CC/GG continued under the following three emperors (until 610), when it was discontinued in Constantinople during the reign of Heraclius. But interestingly, gold from Carthage and Ravenna continued using CC/GG during his reign (until 641). Perhaps indicating that those parts of the old West were still a part the empire? With the succession of Constans II the practice ended.