SALVS REIPVBLICAE (May 425 / 23 October 425)

Bust of Theodosius II facing, cuirassed, wearing a helmet with crest and a pearl diadem. Holding a spear passing behind his head with the right hand and a decorated shield with a horseman slaying an enemy, with the left hand.

Theodosius II seated on a throne to the left with Valentinian III standing to the right. Both wearing consular robes, holding the mappa with the right hand and a Latin cross with the left hand. Theodosius II resting his feet on a step. A star above and between them.

Coin preserved at the British Museum, Museum Number 1867,0101.989. Coin acquired in 1867, from the collection of: Louis, Duc de Blaca d'Aulps. Link to the coin: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1867-0101-989. It is the copy illustrated in the RIC X, plate 47, n°1805.

Other sources given by the RIC X: Staaliche Münzsammlung of Berlin; Historisches Museum of Basel to be confirmed given that the RIC X notes: ''Bi'' and that in the list of references there is only BI whose last letter seems to be a capital L for Basel); Bibliothèque Nationale of France at Paris; Tbilisi, State Museum of Georgia. This type is illustrated in ''Sabatier, Description génerale des monnaies byzantines Vol. 1_1862'', plate V, n°2. But the illustration does not show a star on the reverse. Probably an error or the copy of a coin with star erased by wear. I add the copy sold the 29/10/2000 by Dr Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 366, lot 1587, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=72915. Same dies as the copy from British Museum, Museum Number 1867,0101.989. Except that this specimen displays a CONOB mark, which is why I classified it as AYC #5 TR mark.

I note that on the reverse Theodosius II rests his feet on a step. I saw three copies (one for this AYC #5, one for the #5 var and one for the AYC #5 TR mark, RIC -) and cannot confirm yet whether a variant without a step exists. A ribbon emerges from the letter G of AVG on the obverse, as is often the case in Italian mints. RIC X noted that this series struck at Aquileia had the style of the Ravenna mint.

Note to finish that the RIC X describes this type as being with the two emperors standing while all the coins show Theodosius seated.