★ Scarce VRBS ROMA FELIX variety ★

Honorius (393-423), AE4, issued 404-408. Rome, first officina, 1.94g, 15mm.
Obv: DN HONORIVS PF AVG; rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VRBS ROMA FELIX; Roma standing facing, head right, holding trophy and Victory, shield resting against her legs. OF-P across fields; SMROM in ex.
RIC X 1281(S), Esty type 49.
Hard to find with the rosette diadem, especially as nice as this.

This type is one of the most ironic in the entire Roman series. Issued only at Rome, it proclaims the luck of the city. In 408, the city would be beseiged by the Visigoths under Alaric, and two years later would be subjected to a sack… for the first time in 800 years. So much for Rome’s luck!