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Solidus - Aelia Pulcheria VICTORIA AVGGG, Constantinopolis
| Issuer | Eastern Roman Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 450-457 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Solidus (1) |
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| Obverse description | Pearl-diademed and draped bust of the Augusta Aelia Pulcheria facing right, adorned with a necklace and pendilia earring. The imperial effigy is surmounted by a divine hand emerging from above descending to place a wreath upon her head, signifying celestial sanction of her authority. The obverse legend AEL P VLCH-ERIA AVG is rendered in Latin characters distributed on either side of the bust. The overall treatment reflects the refined court style of fifth-century Constantinopolitan die-cutting. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | AEL P VLCH-ERIA AVG |
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| Additional information |
Pulcheria's position on this coinage is politically loaded. She was the elder sister of Theodosius II and had ruled as regent in his minority, taking a vow of virginity that she wielded as both religious authority and political insulation against rivals. When Theodosius died in 450, it was Pulcheria who effectively selected Marcian as the next emperor — then married him in name only to preserve her vow — making her the dynastic hinge on which the entire Theodosian succession turned.
She died in 453, leaving Marcian to rule alone until 457.