Honorius Roman AE (AD 393-423) NGC

Own a certified Roman bronze AE of Honorius (AD 393–423), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin represents the reign of a ruler who witnessed the beginning of the Western Roman Empire’s final decline.

Honorius was the younger son of Theodosius the Great, the last emperor to rule both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. Upon Theodosius’ death in 395 AD, the empire was permanently divided, with Honorius ruling the West while his brother Arcadius governed the East.

Much of Honorius’ early reign depended on the skill and loyalty of his principal general, Stilicho. Acting first as his guardian and later as his father-in-law, Stilicho defended the empire’s western territories against an increasing wave of barbarian invasions, including early threats from the Visigoths. Despite Stilicho’s efforts, political intrigue eventually led to his execution in 408 AD — a blow from which Honorius' reign never fully recovered.

Honorius’ rule is most famously marked by the sack of Rome in 410 AD by Alaric and the Visigoths — the first time the Eternal City had fallen in nearly eight centuries — signaling a deep crisis within the empire.

Bronze AE coins of Honorius typically feature his youthful, diademed bust on the obverse, while reverses emphasize military victories, divine protection, or the strength of Roman authority — increasingly idealized themes as the empire weakened.

Certified by NGC, this AE coin offers collectors a tangible piece of history from the twilight years of the Western Roman Empire.