THEODOSIUS II. 408-450 AD. AV Solidus (4.42 gm). Struck 430-440 AD. 
      Thessalonica mint. D N THEODOSI-VS P F AVG, diademed and helmeted 
      three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over right shoulder and shield 
      with horseman motif on left arm / VOT XXX MVLT XXXX, Constantinopolis 
      enthroned left, left foot on prow, holding globus cruciger in right hand 
      and sceptre in left; shield at her side, star in right field; TESOB. RIC X 
      366; DOCLR 390; D.M. Metcalf, "The Minting of Gold Coinage at Thessalonica 
      in the Fifth and Sixth Centuries and the Gold Currency in Illyricum and 
      Dalmatia" in Studies in Early Byzantine Gold Coinage, ANSNS 17 (1988), 36 
      (same dies); Depeyrot 52. EF. Rare. ($1000) The Thessalonica mint solidi 
      of Theodosius II are often unwittingly referred to by dealers as rare. 
      They are, in fact, not; Dr. Metcalf records 130 specimens. However, there 
      are four substantive types, and this particular type is indeed rare with 
      Metcalf (1988) recording just 6 specimens and Depeyrot (1996) recording 9.

Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 2214.
 
 Lot sold for $600, plus buyers fees.

By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.