★ Sack of Rome ★

Honorius (393-423), AE4, issued 404-408. Rome, third officina, 2.11g, 14mm. Scarce.
Obv: DN HONORIVS PF AVG; pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VRBS ROMA FELIX; Roma standing facing, head right, holding trophy and Victory, shield resting against her legs. OF-T across fields; SMROM in ex.
RIC X 1280, Esty type 49.
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!
Short on flan, as these always are, but an exceptionally nice example of the type, well struck and in high grade.