Roman Bronze AE3 of Honorius (about 1,600-1,630 years ago)

from $35.10

The coins shown are representative examples of the grade and type, but not the actual specimens for sale. For details on NGC’s grading standards and definitions, please refer to our NGC Grading page.

This bronze coin is an AE3 denomination issued during the reign of Emperor Honorius, who ruled the Western Roman Empire from 393 to 423 CE. As the son of Theodosius the Great, Honorius presided over the Western half of the empire during an increasingly turbulent period marked by barbarian invasions and internal political instability.

Coin Description:

  • Front side: Portrait of Honorius facing right, wearing a pearl diadem and imperial robes, with his name and titles in Latin around the edge.

  • Back side: Likely features late Roman imperial imagery such as the emperor standing with military standards, Victory figure, or possibly the "GLORIA ROMANORVM" (Glory of the Romans) design common during this period.

Technical Details:

  • Bronze alloy composition

  • Denomination: AE3 (medium-sized bronze coin in the late Roman monetary system)

  • Weight: Approximately 2-3 grams

  • Diameter: Approximately 18-20 mm

  • NGC Certified for authentication and preservation

  • Minted between 393-423 CE

  • Condition as specified by NGC certification

Historical Significance: Honorius's reign coincided with momentous events including the Visigothic sack of Rome in 410 CE, the first time the eternal city had fallen to foreign invaders in nearly 800 years. Despite these calamities, Honorius maintained his position largely through the military support of his general and father-in-law Stilicho (until Stilicho's execution in 408 CE). This coin represents the gradually diminishing power of Western Roman authority during a period when Germanic kingdoms were establishing themselves within nominal Roman territories, foreshadowing the empire's eventual collapse in the West.

Grade:

The coins shown are representative examples of the grade and type, but not the actual specimens for sale. For details on NGC’s grading standards and definitions, please refer to our NGC Grading page.

This bronze coin is an AE3 denomination issued during the reign of Emperor Honorius, who ruled the Western Roman Empire from 393 to 423 CE. As the son of Theodosius the Great, Honorius presided over the Western half of the empire during an increasingly turbulent period marked by barbarian invasions and internal political instability.

Coin Description:

  • Front side: Portrait of Honorius facing right, wearing a pearl diadem and imperial robes, with his name and titles in Latin around the edge.

  • Back side: Likely features late Roman imperial imagery such as the emperor standing with military standards, Victory figure, or possibly the "GLORIA ROMANORVM" (Glory of the Romans) design common during this period.

Technical Details:

  • Bronze alloy composition

  • Denomination: AE3 (medium-sized bronze coin in the late Roman monetary system)

  • Weight: Approximately 2-3 grams

  • Diameter: Approximately 18-20 mm

  • NGC Certified for authentication and preservation

  • Minted between 393-423 CE

  • Condition as specified by NGC certification

Historical Significance: Honorius's reign coincided with momentous events including the Visigothic sack of Rome in 410 CE, the first time the eternal city had fallen to foreign invaders in nearly 800 years. Despite these calamities, Honorius maintained his position largely through the military support of his general and father-in-law Stilicho (until Stilicho's execution in 408 CE). This coin represents the gradually diminishing power of Western Roman authority during a period when Germanic kingdoms were establishing themselves within nominal Roman territories, foreshadowing the empire's eventual collapse in the West.