Valentinian III, 425-455. Tessera Monumentorum (Bronze with raised Silver band, 13x18 mm, 4.30 g, 12 h), with Paulinus, praefectus urbi, 450-451/2 (?). SALVO D N V/ALENTINI/ANO P I (sic!) AVG in three lines inscribed on raised silver band. Rev. PAVLINVS / V C PRAEF / VRB FECIT in three lines inscribed on raised silver band. K. L. Elvers: Zwei neue sog. tesserae monumentorum im Archäologischen Museum der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster und in westfälischem Privatbesitz: Mit einem Katalog der bekannten Exemplare, in: Boreas 34 (2011), 2b var. = M. Kulikowski: Urban Prefects in Bronze, in: JNLA 10.1 (2017), A1 var. (with P P instead of P I). Very rare. Minor corrosion and with a scuff on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


The exact function of the so-called Tesserae Monumentorum remains a mystery. Though intricately crafted, they are very small, lack any representational purpose, and hold no monetary value. Many bear inscriptions such as FECIT ('he made' or 'constructed by') or REPARAVIT ('he restored'), which has long led scholars to associate them with the construction or restoration of buildings. Some have proposed that certain tesserae were placed in building foundations, while others may have been distributed during dedication ceremonies. Yet, since no such tessera has ever been found in a Roman structure, these theories remain speculative. What is certain, however, is their extreme rarity today - making it all the more remarkable to present four compelling examples in this catalogue.

The identity of the Paulinus on the first example remains somewhat unclear. Kulikowski distinguishes him from Fabius Felix Passifilus Paulinus (PLRE 2: 848), known from various inscriptions in Rome. He may have been the brother of our city prefect, whose tenure must be dated after the death of Theodosius II (408-450), since his tesserae mention only one emperor. It is known that Valentinian III initially refused to recognize the new Eastern emperor, Marcian (450-457), as he had been appointed without his consent. It is likely that the Western emperor came to terms with the new ruler in Constantinople only around 451 or 452, which would date our tesserae to the years 450-451/2.