Descriptions

A nummus of the type that weighed 1/132 of a pound. It is one of 111 similar coins from the Seaton Down Hoard. It was made between AD 337 and AD 340 and issued for Theodora. The mint mark for this coin is illegible and so we do not know where it was made.

After the death of Constantine I in May AD 337, there were arguments between two branches of the family regarding who should be his successor(s). The first were Constantine’s three sons, Constantine, Constantius and Constans. The others were also descendants of Constantius I, Constantine I’s father, but by his second wife, Theodora. During this time, there were two coin types issued, one depicting Theodora and the image of Pietas Romana, and the other depicting Helena (Constantine I’s mother) and the image of Pax Publica. These coins show Theodora and Helena as the ancestresses of their respective branches. The image on the reverse of Theodora’s coins depicts Pietas standing and carrying an infant. Pietas is the female personification of dutifulness and so using this image with Theodora’s may have been suggesting that her descendants were themselves dutiful and would thus lead the Empire well.

This object is on display at RAMM in the Making History gallery.

Inscription

obverse

reverse PIETAS ROMANA PIETAS ROMANA