Theodosius Coins

The reign of Theodosius lasted nearly 20 years, from 379-395 AD. Theodosius, often called "the Great," was the last sole ruler of the Western and Eastern portions of the empire. He gained his military reputation in campaigns against the Goths, so besieged by numbers that he was forced to recruit members of newly-settled barbarian tribes to fight the invading barbarians.

In spite of frequent wars, Theodosius is portrayed on his coinage in draped robes and Eastern-style imperial diadem. Some coins recognize an important event in the empire on the reverse: the establishment of Christianity as the official religion and Theodosius' prohibition of paganism. Signs of this change are small but distinguishable: the emperor, portrayed as a soldier, holds a troop banner signed with a Christian Chi Ro. A portrait of Theodosius and Valentiniun II (minted under Valentinium) shows both rulers with haloes and an angel. A late Theodosian coin shows the emperor on one side, a wreath and a cross on the other.