Theodosius II (AD 402–450) Eastern Roman Empire AE3 Nummus NGC F

Theodosius II Bronze Nummus — Constantinople, Law and Late Roman Life

This small bronze coin belongs to the long reign of Theodosius II, when Constantinople stood at the center of the Eastern Roman Empire. It offers a link to the daily monetary world behind the era’s imperial law, court politics and enduring fortifications.

Coin Details

• Ruler: Theodosius II
• Reign and issue period: Augustus, AD 402–450; sole eastern emperor from AD 408; exact issue year unspecified
• Empire/region: Eastern Roman Empire
• Denomination: AE3 nummus
• Composition: Bronze/copper alloy (AE)
• NGC grade: F — Fine
• Sheldon-scale equivalent: 12
• Quantity supplied: One encapsulated coin

The Sheldon-scale number is an equivalent associated with the stated ancient-coin grade; it is not a separate numerical grade assigned to the coin.

Theodosius II and His Place in Roman History

Theodosius was made Augustus as an infant in AD 402 and succeeded his father Arcadius as sole eastern emperor in AD 408. His early government relied on experienced officials, while his sister Pulcheria later became an influential figure at court. His reign connected the late Roman world with institutions that would shape the Byzantine Empire.

The Theodosian Code, published in AD 438, organized imperial laws and became an important resource for later legal traditions. Constantinople’s defenses were also greatly strengthened during his reign. These achievements outlasted the immediate military and political challenges of his lifetime and help explain why his name remains prominent in the history of the eastern empire.

What the Coin Tells Us

AE3 is a modern classification for the size group of this copper-alloy coin, not a statement that it had a face value of three. Such terminology helps collectors describe late Roman bronzes whose ancient denomination names and monetary relationships can be uncertain.

The imperial name and imagery made even a small coin a carrier of public authority. Details such as surviving legends, mintmarks and reverse symbols can support closer identification of an individual example. This stock offering specifies the ruler, coin class and NGC grade; it does not promise that every specimen will show the same reverse, complete inscriptions or identical surface color.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one bronze AE3 nummus of Theodosius II in an NGC Ancients holder, graded F (Fine). A specific mint, issue year, reverse design, inscription, weight or diameter is not promised unless expressly stated above.

Stock-photo notice: The photographs are representative of the product offering. The coin supplied may differ from the pictured example in portrait style, reverse design, inscriptions, centering, toning, surface appearance and other individual characteristics while remaining within the stated coin type and any expressly stated grade.