Marcian Roman AE4 (AD 450–457) – NGC Certified

Own a certified Roman bronze AE4 of Emperor Marcian (AD 450–457), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin represents the reign of a decisive Eastern Roman ruler whose military and religious policies left a lasting legacy on the waning Roman world.

Marcian succeeded Theodosius II and quickly distinguished himself by reversing many of his predecessor’s stances — most notably regarding the Huns and church doctrine. Refusing to pay tribute to Attila the Hun, Marcian instead took the offensive. In 452 AD, while Attila was invading Italy, Marcian launched bold military campaigns across the Danube into the Great Hungarian Plain, striking deep into the Hunnic homeland.

This aggressive move diverted Attila’s attention and helped destabilize his campaign. The Western Roman Empire, unable to match Marcian’s strength, resorted to bribery to convince Attila to retreat from Italy — but it was Marcian’s military pressure from the East that truly tipped the balance.

Marcian is also remembered for his firm support of Nicene Christianity. He convened the Council of Chalcedon in 451, a defining moment in Christian doctrine that rejected Monophysitism and shaped Orthodox theology for centuries.

Bronze AE4 coins of Marcian typically feature his diademed bust on the obverse, with reverses bearing Christian symbols or imperial monograms — reflecting the religious and political unification of his reign.

Certified by NGC, this AE4 coin offers collectors a piece of the Eastern Roman Empire at a time of bold leadership and shifting global power.