Owner Comments:
Marcian (392 – 457 AD) joined the Roman military while in his youth, following in his father’s footsteps. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming the personal assistant of the Eastern Roman Empire’s leading generals. In the early 430s AD Marcian was engaged against the Germanic tribe known as the Vandals, taken prisoner, and brought before their ruler, King Geiseric. The latter had heard an omen that a prisoner would be presented to him, one who was not of royal blood, but nonetheless that prisoner would one day rule the Roman Empire. The details and timing of the oracle was quite fortunate for Marcian, who certainly fit the description. The superstitious Geiseric agreed to release his prisoner under solemn oath that never again would Marcian take up arms against the Vandals.
In 450 AD, the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II died without an heir. His sister, Pulcheria, chose Marcian as consort (not out of love, but for his military accomplishments, which were now quite impressive). Thus, the prophecy told to Geiseric was fulfilled. Meanwhile, the Empire was under great pressure not only from the Vandals, but also the Huns. For decades, including the period under Theodosius’ reign, the Huns and their infamous leader, Attila, routinely required bribes to keep them placated. Marcian repudiated these embarrassing payments, quoted as saying:
“I have iron for Attila, but no gold."
Although not for Attila, Marcian did have gold, which was struck into imperial solidi, such as this one. The design is characteristic for the early Eastern Empire. Marcian’s bust is pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed. He is facing slightly right, and holds a spear over his shoulder. The verso displays Victory, standing left, holding a massive long cross.
Since Marcian’s solidi were not headed Attila’s way, the Huns attacked in response. The first target was the Western Empire, which was weaker than Constantinople, and Attila planned to deal with the impudent Marcian afterwards. However, before Atilla's designs could be fully achieved, he died on his wedding night (actually, it was just the latest of a large number of nuptial celebrations). The leaderless Huns became disorganized, were routed by their rival barbarians, the Goths, and ultimately disintegrated.
Although the Huns were out of the picture, Marcian had no shortage of other enemies to counter; for instance, he successfully repelled attacks from the east. In addition to his military successes, Marcian also implemented important imperial reforms, such as spending reductions (not the least of which was the aforementioned repudiation of barbarian bribes). History paints him as one of the greatest Eastern Roman Emperors, even though his policies were isolationist, leaving the Western Empire vulnerable to the Huns and the Vandals. The latter, led by Geiseric, sacked Rome for several weeks in 455 AD. Marcian, keeping his oath, did not come to Rome’s aid.
Coin Details: EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Marcian AD 450-457, AV Solidus (4.46 g), Constantinople mint, NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: diademed, helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman, D N MARCIA-NVS P F AVG, Reverse: Victory standing left, holding long jeweled cross, star in right field, VICTORI-A AVGGG and officina letter Z, CONOB in exergue, References: RIC X 510; Depeyrot 87/1; Hunter 5; DOCLR 481.