Galla Placidia, Augusta, 421-450. Solidus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.48 g, 12 h), Ravenna, circa 430-445. D N GALLA PLA-CIDIA P F AVG Pearl-diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia to right, cross on right shoulder, wearing single pendant earring and pearl necklace; above, manus dei holding wreath. Rev. VOT XX MVLT XXX / R - V / COMOB Victory standing front, head to left, holding long jewelled cross in her right hand; above, star. Depeyrot 16/3. RIC 2020. Struck from slightly worn dies, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Galla Placidia, the daughter of Theodosius I and his second wife, Galla, was one of the most influential figures in late Roman politics. Born around 391-394, she became a pawn in the hands of powerful figures early in her life. She was captured by Alaric in 408 and married his successor, Athaulf. Both of her sons from this marriage, Theodosius and Athaulf, died young, and she was eventually released from Gothic captivity in 416 after her husband’s assassination. Upon returning to Ravenna, her half-brother Honorius forced her to marry Constantius III in 417 (see lot 207 above). From this union, she had a daughter, Honoria (born 418), and another son, Valentinian (born 419), the future emperor.

Valentinian III became a central figure in the Western Roman Empire following the deaths of Constantius III and Honorius in 421 and 423, respectively. Appointed Caesar by Theodosius II in 424 and Augustus in 425 after defeating the usurper Johannes, Valentinian III was only six years old at the time. Galla Placidia effectively ruled the West as regent with the help of various rival magistri militum, whom she skillfully manipulated. However, by the mid-430s, General Flavius Aëtius emerged victorious in the internal power struggles, significantly diminishing Galla’s influence, especially as Valentinian approached maturity. In 437, when Valentinian turned eighteen, Galla stepped down as regent and retired to Rome, where she died on 27 November 450.