This coin was mistakenly included in RIC IX because it was originally thought that the coins in the name of Theodosius (originally thought to be issued circa A.D. 394-5) were Theodosius I; however numismatists figured out it was actually Theodosius II (issued circa 404-8) and included this issue in RIC X.
This issue was struck in the name of all the rulers (Arcadius, Honorius and Theodosius II) from A.D. 404- 408 and the reverse legend translates roughly as "Happy City of Rome" but the irony of this issue is that all was not so well in Rome. In 408, Arcadius died and the Visigoths laid siege to Rome.
The early issues of these coins were well-struck, but the style and fabric began to deteriorate. Besides being more crude in style, later issues also seem to have been struck only in the name of Honorius. Since these later coins are inferior to coins issued by the usurper Attalus, there is some speculation that these crude examples may have been issued after the fall of Attalus.
This coin is an example of the early issue-
Theodosius II
A.D. 404-408
14mm 2.4gm
DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG
VRBS ROMA FELIX, Roma standing facing, head right, holding trophy and Victory on globe; a shield leans against her left leg.
In left field OF in right field Q
In ex. SMROM
RIC X Rome 1283
