Sale: CNG 64, Lot: 1236. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2003.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AELIA PULCHERIA, sister of Theodosius II and wife of Marcian. Augusta, 414-453 AD. AV Semissis (2.14 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck circa 414-422 AD. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Christogram within wreath; CONSB*. RIC X 224 (same reverse die); cf. Depeyrot 76/2. VF, light obverse scratch. Extremely rare. ($1000)

It is likely that this coin type belongs to the typical issue of semisses for Pulcheria (RIC X 211; Depeyrot 72/2), but the engraver of the reverse die that was used probably confused the mintmarks for Pulcheria's gold and silver issues (cf. RIC X 211 note). The specimen refered to in RIC (Münzhandlung Basel 6 (18 March 1936), lot 2120) is apparently the only published piece, and it shares the same reverse die as the present specimen.