Honorius Rare AR Light Miliarense Roman Empire 395-403 AD Silver Coin Museum Reproduction CSRA0007

Honorius was the son of Theodosius I and upon the latter’s death was given the Western provinces to rule as emperor, while his brother Arcadius was given the East. Honorius was a weak incompetent ruler dominated at first by the famed general Stilicho, then by various court favorites. In August 410 A.D. he sat helpless at Ravenna while Rome was sacked by the Goths. He was succeeded by Valentinian III.

The miliarense denomination was introduced by Constantine as part of his monetary reforms. Struck on two standards, light and heavy, eighteen light miliarensia or fourteen heavy miliarensia equalled one gold solidus. That they were as highly desirable in antiquity as they are today is evidenced by their extensive mounting and use as pendants. The heavy miliarense was struck at a theoretical 60 to the pound, roughly corresponding to the old weight of the now defunct aureus. The origin of the name is uncertain; Mattingly once suggested that its name commemorated the millenary of the foundation of Rome. Epiphanius of Salamis thought it was derived from ‘miles’, being intended for military pay, but the Nomis Glosses imply a silver unit worth 1/1,000th of a gold pound. Neither of these theories hold up to scrutiny however, and the most likely explanation is that put forward by the fifth century metrologist Dardanius, who suggests that the word implied a coin originally worth 1,000 bronze Nummi. Calculations of relative values seem to indicate this is correct.
DESIGN:
Obverse side
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Honorius to left
Legend:
D N HONORI-VS P F AVG

Reverse side
Nimbate and armored emperor standing facing, his head turned to left, holding globus in his left hand and raising his right in salute; to left, star
Legend:
GLORIA ROMANORVM, CON in exergue

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.