AU Solidus, A.D. 441-450, Constantinople, 21.7mm, 4.43g, 180°, RIC 323.
Obv: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing right, holding spear over shoulder & shield decorated with horseman.
Rev: IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P. Constantinopolis seated left holding cross on globe & scepter, star in left field; CONOB in ex.
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Flavius Theodosius Junior Augustus was Roman Emperor in the East from 408 to 450. Theodosius was born in 401 as the only son of Emperor Arcadius and his Frankish-born wife Aelia Eudoxia. In 408, his father died and the seven-year-old boy became Emperor of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. At first, the government was run by the Praetorian Prefect Anthemius. In 414, Theodosius' older sister Pulcheria was proclaimed Augusta and assumed the regency. By 416 Theodosius was capable of ruling himself, but his sister remained a strong influence on him.

Theodosius' reign was dominated by conflict with external forces. The Eastern Empire was plagued by raiding attacks of the Huns and in 447 the Huns went through the Balkans, destroying the city of Serdica and reaching Athyra on the outskirts of Constantinople. An agreement was made between the Huns and the Eastern Empire in which the Emperor chose to pay tribute.

When Roman Africa fell to the Vandals in 439, both Eastern and Western Emperors sent forces to Sicily, to counter the Vandals at Carthage, but this project failed. Seeing the Imperial borders without significant forces, the Huns and Sassanid Persia declared war. During 443 two Roman armies were defeated and destroyed by the Huns; the amount of tribute the Empire now paid was tripled. The war with Persia on the other hand proved indecisive, and a peace was arranged in 422 without changes to the status quo.

Theodosius died in 450 as the result of a riding accident. In the ensuing power struggle, his sister Pulcheria, who had recently returned to court, married the general Marcian making him Emperor.