Bronze Coin of Emperor Theodosius I The Great

This bronze coin is mounted in an 18 karat gold ring

Theodosius’ entrance onto the Roman stage marked the beginning of formal division of the empire into _east and west parts. Having proven himself a superlative military commander, he was appointed magister militum by Emperor Gratian in 378 A.D. to repel the Goths. After long fighting he signed a treaty with them, and later with Persia thus establishing relative peace in the east. In 394 A.D. he defeated the western usurper Eugenius, which effectively left Theodosius in control of the entire empire. Only five months later he died of dropsy in Milan, leaving his sons Arcadius and Honorius to rule in the east and west respectively. A highly religious man, Theodosius initiated changes in the relationship between Church and State, and through his firm control left the empire more secure. On this fine coin Theodosius faces right wearing a helmet and cuirass, and on the reverse he is depicted standing on a galley turning to look at a figure of Victory at the helm.