Augustus, A.D. 450-457
(Bronze) AE4
Constantinople mint, A.D. 450-457
Obv: D N MARCIANVS P F AVG
Rev: Cross above monogram (#2), within wreath
CON in exergue
RIC 545
12mm, 1.1g
Marcian was one of the last Roman emperors to have anything approaching a successful reign. A poor soldier, he rose through the ranks to draw the attention of Aspar, one of the most powerful people in the East, who was ineligible to be emperor because of his foreign birth. Upon the death of Theodosius II, Aspar used his influence to have Marcian placed on the throne. His brief reign was relatively peaceful and, for the time, prosperous.
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