| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 198 | Silver | Auction date: 25 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 316 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Theophilus AD 829-842. Constantinople Follis Æ 30 mm, 8,93 g Bust of Theophilus facing / + ΘΕΟ / FILE AVG / OVStE SV / NICAS. Very Fine Sear 1667. Emperor Theophilus ruled the Byzantine Empire from 829 to 842 AD, and his reign was a significant period in Byzantine history. During his rule, there were several important developments and events that shaped the empire. Theophilus had strong religious beliefs that influenced his policies, and this included a stance against the use of religious icons, which led to the removal and destruction of many of them. His reign also saw conflicts with the neighboring Abbasid Caliphate, mainly over territorial disputes in the eastern border regions. These conflicts resulted in changes in territorial boundaries and strategic adjustments. Despite his iconoclastic views, Theophilus was known for his support of learning and intellectual pursuits. He had a court of scholars, including figures such as Leo the Mathematician, who made significant contributions to fields like mathematics and philosophy. Theophilus's reign came to an end when he died at a relatively young age in 842. His infant son, Michael III, succeeded him, with his wife, Theodora, acting as regent. Theodora's influence played a crucial role in the events that followed, ultimately leading to a shift in the empire's religious policies and a return to the veneration of icons. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 193 | Silver | Auction date: 28 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 253 Price realized: 100 EUR (Approx. 108 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Constantine I the Great AD 306-337. Antioch Follis Æ 20 mm, 2,42 g Laureate head right / CONSTAN/TINVS/ AVG/ SMANTA in four lines with wreath above and pellet below. Very Fine RIC 57. Constantine I, commonly known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 306 to 337. He was born on February 27, AD 272, in Naissus (modern-day Niš, Serbia). Constantine's rise to power came after the death of his father, Constantius Chlorus. He emerged as the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire in AD 312 after defeating his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Constantine is best known for his religious and political reforms. In AD 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance to Christians and ending the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. He later became a patron of Christianity and played a significant role in its establishment as the state religion. Constantine also initiated administrative and military reforms, including the foundation of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire in AD 330. His reign marked a crucial turning point in Roman history, as he laid the foundation for the Byzantine Empire and established Christianity as a dominant religion in the Roman world. Constantine the Great is remembered as one of the most influential and significant Roman emperors in history. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 2:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 209 | Silver | Auction date: 28 April 2024 |
| Lot number: 519 Price realized: 50 EUR (Approx. 54 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Constantius I Chlorus, as Caesar AD 293-305. Rome Follis Æ 30 mm, 9,57 g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, laureate head right / SAC MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS N N //R(crescent)T, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia. Nearly Extremely Fine RIC VI 112a. Constantius I Chlorus, also known as Constantius Chlorus, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 293 to 306. He was a member of the Tetrarchy system established by Emperor Diocletian, where the Roman Empire was divided into four regions, each ruled by two co- emperors (Augusti) and two junior emperors (Caesars). Constantius Chlorus served as a Caesar, holding the title of Caesar of the West, under the Augustus of the West, Maximian. His responsibilities included governing the Western Roman Empire and assisting the Augustus in managing the empire's affairs. During his time as Caesar, Constantius Chlorus played a crucial role in securing the borders of the Western Roman Empire and maintaining stability within his region. He was known for his effective military leadership and his efforts to combat external threats and internal revolts. In AD 305, Emperor Diocletian abdicated, and Maximian followed suit. The Tetrarchy system faced challenges as various factions within the Roman Empire vied for power. Constantius Chlorus emerged as one of the potential successors to the imperial throne. In AD 306, Constantius Chlorus died unexpectedly in Eboracum (modern-day York, England) while on a campaign against the Picts and Scots in northern Britain. His death set off a series of events that eventually led to the breakdown of the Tetrarchy system and the rise of his son, Constantine the Great, who became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire and later reunified the entire Roman Empire under his rule. Constantius Chlorus is remembered as a capable and respected leader, known for his military prowess and administrative skills during his tenure as Caesar of the West. His son, Constantine the Great, would go on to become one of the most influential emperors in Roman history and played a significant role in the Christianization of the Roman Empire. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 3:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 198 | Silver | Auction date: 25 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 290 Price realized: 140 EUR (Approx. 151 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Aelia Flaccilla AD 383-386. Constantinople Follis Æ 21 mm, 4,44 g AEL FLACCILLA AVG, draped bust right, with elaborate headdress / SALVS REIPVBLICAE, empress standing facing, head to right, arms folded; cross to right, CONSЄ in exergue. Very Fine RIC IX 82.2. Aelia Flavia Flaccilla, a Roman empress from Hispania, wed Theodosius around 376. After his ascent to Eastern Emperor following the Battle of Adrianople in 378, Flaccilla became empress. Honored as Augusta in 379, she staunchly advocated Nicene Christianity against Arianism. Renowned for piety and charity, her union with Theodosius bore two children: Arcadius and Aelia Pulcheria, with Honorius born in 384. Tragically, Pulcheria passed away in childhood. Posthumously, Flaccilla was honored with the Flaccillian Palace in Constantinople and statues in the Senate and Antioch. Her funeral oration was delivered by Gregory of Nyssa. Emperor Theodosius I remarried Galla after her death in 386. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 193 | Silver | Auction date: 28 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 265 Price realized: 550 EUR (Approx. 596 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Theodosius II AD 402-450. Constantinople Solidus AV 21 mm, 4,40 g D N THEODO-SIVS P F AVG, pearl-diadmed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder in right hand and shield decorated with horseman motif in left / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX I, Constantinopolis enthroned left, with left foot on prow, holding globus cruciger in right hand, scepter in left, star to right, CONOB in exergue. Very Fine RIC X 257; Depeyrot 81/1. Theodosius II, known as Flavius Theodosius, was a prominent Roman Emperor who reigned over the Eastern Roman Empire, which would later become the Byzantine Empire, from AD 408 to 450. His ascent to the throne was unique, as he took on the mantle of leadership at the young age of 7 following the death of his father, Emperor Arcadius. Due to his youth, Theodosius II was placed under the guardianship of various regents during the early years of his reign. What sets Theodosius II apart in history is the remarkable length of his rule, spanning over four decades. Throughout his reign, he heavily relied on the counsel and guidance of advisors and regents, especially during his formative years as a ruler. One of his most enduring contributions was the construction of the famous Theodosian Walls that fortified the city of Constantinople, the Byzantine capital. These formidable defenses played a pivotal role in safeguarding the city from numerous external threats, including barbarian invasions. Theodosius II was a devout Christian, and he actively supported the Nicene Creed, an important doctrine of Christian orthodoxy. He also played a significant role in ecclesiastical matters, such as the convocation of the Council of Ephesus in 431, aimed at addressing theological controversies of the time. His reign also saw the initiation of efforts to compile and organize Roman laws, resulting in the creation of the Theodosian Code. This legal code became a vital source of Roman law for both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, as well as for medieval Europe. In terms of relations with the Western Roman Empire, Theodosius II had a complex connection with his counterpart, Emperor Honorius. The Western Empire was grappling with internal strife and external threats, notably the Visigothic and Vandal invasions. Theodosius II provided limited assistance to Honorius, reflecting the challenges faced by both empires during this period. Theodosius II's reign came to an unfortunate end in 450 AD due to a riding accident. He was succeeded by Marcian, who was married to Theodosius II's sister Pulcheria. Theodosius II's long and relatively stable rule played a crucial role in preserving the Eastern Roman Empire during a time of considerable external pressures and internal complexities. His legacy endures through his significant contributions to law, fortifications, and the Christian tradition of the Byzantine Empire. Starting price: 200 EUR |  |
Match 5:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 187 | Silver | Auction date: 10 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 372 Price realized: 70 EUR (Approx. 75 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Maxentius AD 306-312. Ostia Follis Æ 26 mm, 6,76 g IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, laureate head to right / FIDES MILITVM AVG N, Fides standing to left with standard in each hand, MOSTS in exergue. Very Fine RIC VI 45. Maxentius, also known as Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 306 to 312. He was a member of the Constantinian dynasty, which was a prominent political family during the late Roman Empire. Maxentius was the son of the former Roman Emperor Maximian, who had abdicated in AD 305 during the Tetrarchy system, which was a system of rule by four emperors instituted by Emperor Diocletian. When his father resigned, Maxentius declared himself emperor in Rome, defying the tetrarchic system. His rule was initially limited to the city of Rome and its surrounding regions, as he faced rival claimants to the imperial throne. One of his main rivals was Constantine the Great, who was the son of another Tetrarch, Constantius Chlorus. Constantine had his own ambitions to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. The conflict between Maxentius and Constantine culminated in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312. According to Christian tradition, before the battle, Constantine saw a vision of a Christian symbol (often referred to as the Chi-Rho), and he heard the words "In this sign, conquer." Taking it as a divine sign, Constantine ordered his soldiers to paint the Chi-Rho symbol on their shields. Constantine's forces were victorious at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, and Maxentius was defeated and killed during the battle. Following his victory, Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. Maxentius is remembered as a brief and tumultuous ruler who challenged the Tetrarchy system and attempted to assert his authority over the western regions of the Roman Empire. However, his reign came to an end with the rise of Constantine, who went on to become one of the most significant and influential emperors in Roman history. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
