DOUBLE SOLIDUS OF AELIA EUDOCIA

An extremely rare gold Double Solidus or Medallion depicting Aelia Eudocia, wife of an emperor of the eastern Roman Empire and later an enlightened ruler of Palestine in her own right, is expected to fetch £80,000 to £100,000 ($137,000 to $171,000) at Dix Noonan Webb, the international coins and medals specialists, in London. It is believed to be one of only three surviving examples and will be auctioned in the sale of Ancient and World Coins on 22-23 September 2014.

The coin was struck in Constantinople in the 5th Century and was probably a special commemorative piece given to courtiers for services to the imperial family. Eudocia is depicted wearing her imperial regalia on the obverse, while on the reverse she is shown enthroned and wearing a halo, a symbol of sovereignty, enlightenment and divinity.

Eudocia was an extraordinary woman who deserves to be more widely remembered. Born in Athens, she travelled to the court of Theodosius II, emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, in Constantinople in 420 to challenge her father’s will. Theodosius fell in love with her and she married him in 421. The dynastic title Aelia was added to her name.

Theodosius gave Eudocia imperial powers previously held by his sister Pulcheria and struck coins depicting her. These are part of the transitional coinage bridging the changeover from the late Roman to the Byzantine eras. Pulcheria was angry that her powers had been handed to Eudocia and this provoked a bitter dispute between them. In 441, several years after the Double Solidus to be auctioned was struck, Eudocia was accused of adultery, probably falsely, and banished.

Eudocia went to Jerusalem and, as the most senior member of the imperial family living in Palestine, became ruler of the province. She proved to be very enlightened, protecting all religions from the discriminatory laws imposed by her husband and overseeing the construction of major public buildings. After her death in 460, Roman historians ignored Eudocia because she was said to have fallen into disgrace but the people of Palestine honoured her memory.

Dix Noonan Webb
16 Bolton Street,
London W1J 8BQ
Telephone: 020 7016 1700.
E-mail: auctions@dnw.co.uk

Wayne Homren, Editor

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