-
Copyright credit: Roma Numismatics Ltd
-
Copyright credit: Roma Numismatics Ltd
-
Copyright credit: Roma Numismatics Ltd
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIGHT
Authority
Arcadius, Roman Emperor
;
Honorius, Roman Emperor
;
Theodosius II, Roman Emperor
;
Theodosius I, Roman Emperor
Mint
Constantinople
Denomination
1 Nomisma = 1 Solidus
Material
Copper alloy (bronze or brass)
Manufacture
Struck
Shape
Disc or similar (ellipse, etc.)
Length
2.00 cm
Width
2.00 cm
Height
- cm
Metrology
| Mass (g) | Mass (grain) | Date of measurement | Reference | fragmented | cleaned | reference weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.24 | - | - | (scientific literature) | No | No | Yes |
Iconography
| Symbol | Technique | Direction | Position | Number | Synecdoche |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrism | Stamped / Countermarked / Struck | One | |||
| Roman Emperor | Stamped / Countermarked / Struck | FACING | Three | Bust |
Wear
Corrosion
Handle
No
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Auction Roma 2015: Lot 905. Theodosius I, with Arcadius and Honorius, Æ Exagium Solidi Weight. Constantinople, AD 402-408. DDD NNN, diademed and draped facing busts of Honorius, Theodosius, and Arcadius respectively / Large Christogram. Unpublished in the standard references, for obverse type cf. Bendall 11. 4.24g, 20mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine. Apparently Unique. Official solidus weights, based on a standard 'imperial pound', came into being with the law of Julian of AD 363, which established a zygostates - an official weigher of solidi in each city to restore confidence in the solidus, which had become subject to widespread clipping. Exagium derives from the Latin exigere 'to drive out' - in this case, the underweight solidi, thereby maintaining an acceptable weight standard necessary for the imperial gold coinage to circulate at full value. Many, if not most, such exagia display holes and/or plugs to bring the exagium to the correct weight. Unmodified exagia are thus a rarity.
Asolati 2022: Exagia solidi imperiali privi dell’indicazione esplicita della funzione: Arcadio, Onorio e Teodosio II, 403–408 d.C., [exagium solidi]. Zecca non indicata: Constantinopolis (?). D/ DDD NNN; tre busti frontali, affiancati, diademati, drappeggiati e corazzati: quello a d. di dimensioni minori. R/ Chi-Rho. a. Roma, Auction 10 (27/09/2015), lotto n. 905: g 4,24; mm 20; h 6.
Asolati 2022: Exagia solidi imperiali privi dell’indicazione esplicita della funzione: Arcadio, Onorio e Teodosio II, 403–408 d.C., [exagium solidi]. Zecca non indicata: Constantinopolis (?). D/ DDD NNN; tre busti frontali, affiancati, diademati, drappeggiati e corazzati: quello a d. di dimensioni minori. R/ Chi-Rho. a. Roma, Auction 10 (27/09/2015), lotto n. 905: g 4,24; mm 20; h 6.
Autopsy
No
INSCRIPTION
| Language | Technique | Legend type |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | Stamped / Countermarked / Struck | Authority |
Fac simile
D D D N N N
Edition
D(omini) n(ostri). ||
Monogram
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Findspot (region)
Findspot (site)
context
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUISITION
Region
City
Date of first acquisition
Sept. 27, 2015
circumstances
Antiquities trade.
DATING OF THE WEIGHT
Curatorial Section
LATE ROMAN AND BYZANTINE
Time frame
FROM
402
TO
408
Comments on Chronology
Auction Roma 2015: proposes a production date between 402 and 408.
Asolati 2022: suggests a production date between 403 and 408.
Asolati 2022: suggests a production date between 403 and 408.
COLLECTION HISTORY
Collection
| Name | Date of acquisition | Inventory number |
|---|---|---|
| Antiquities Trade | Sept. 27, 2015 | None |
Bibliography
| Reference | Page/Column | Reference (number) | Plate / Figure | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auction Roma 2015d | None | 905 | fig. | None |
| Asolati 2022 | 266, 274 | 30a | Pl. V/30a | None |
VARIA