Freeman & Sear - Gemini I, Session 2
Lot: 485

ROMAN EMPIRE. Valentinian III (AD 425-455). Gold 
marriage solidus (4.47 gm). Thessalonica, 29 October AD 
437. D N PLA VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, draped, cuirassed 
bust right, wearing crested helmet and pearl diadem / 
FELICITER NVBTIIS, Valentinian III and Licinia Eudoxia 
nimbate, being married by nimbate Theodosius II, senior 
emperor of the East, who stands in center, arms on 
shoulders of the imperial couple who hold hands with 
each other, CONOB in exergue. Unpublished until Tkalec, 
29 February 2000, lot 452 (same dies). Very rare: 
probably one of five known, all likely from the same 
dies. Virtually as struck 

Valentinian was betrothed to Theodosius' two-year-old daughter Licinia Eudoxia, and the following year (425), at the age of six, 
he was installed on the western throne. The marriage was 
celebrated thirteen years later, at Constantinople, on 
29 October 437, and the imperial couple spent the winter 
of 437-438 at Thessalonica, where this solidus was 
struck. The marriage was commemorated not only by this 
exceptional issue of solidi, but also in a series of 
mosaics in the palace at Ravenna which depicted the 
principal events of Valentinian's career. 
Estimated Value: $ 28,500 

...Sold for $26,000 USD [ approx 19760 EUR, 13780 GBP ] plus 15% buyers fee. 

Gemini I Auction Closed Jan 11-12, 2005. 

Re-used by permission of Freeman & Sear (www.freemanandsear.com) 
                      and Harlan J Berk (www.harlanjberk.com).