Marcian. AD 450-457. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 5h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Struck AD 450-457. NGC MS, 4/5, 5/5.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 633. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 1 700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Marcian. AD 450-457. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 5h). Constantinople mint, 7th officina. Struck AD 450-457. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman motif / Victory standing left, holding long, jeweled cross; star to right; Z//CONOB. RIC X 510; Depeyrot 87/1. In NGC encapsulation 2405970-005, graded MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5.

A career soldier in the East Roman army, Marcian was chosen to succeed the long-reigning Theodosius II through the influence of the Alan generalissimo Aspar and the empress Aelia Pulcheria, sister to Theodosius, who legitimized his position by marrying him. Marcian proved a stern and able ruler, particularly in his dealings with the Huns. He refused to pay Attila the annual indemnity of 2,100 pounds of gold promised by his weakling predecessor, remarking “I have iron for Attila, but no gold.” He prepared the army to meet the inevitable Hun attack, but Attila promptly died on his wedding night, and his huge Hunnic empire disintegrated. Marcian spent most of his reign in reform and retrenchment, husbanding the East Roman Empire’s resources against the coming storms. He was so fondly remembered that future East Roman emperors were sworn in with the admonition to “reign like Marcian!” His coinage conforms to the East Roman convention of the times, with a more or less “generic” frontal portrait on the obverse and a figure of Victory holding a cross on the reverse.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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