Flavius Arcadius was proclaimed Augustus in AD 383 at the age of six. In AD 395 he succeeded his father, Theodosius in the East. Arcadius was married to Aelia Eudoxia - as empress she exercised considerable power. Arcadius' reign was relatively peaceful and he died peacefully in his sleep in AD 408.

Obv. Arcadius diademed (showing two rows of pearls and a central medallion), draped, cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield, above the manus dei - hand of God holding a wreath (first used to indicate the apotheosis of Constantine I, from the later fourth century this Christianised iconography was associated with the appointment of new emperors), the obverse legend reads DN (Dominus noster - 'our lord', common during the later fourth and fifth centuries) ARCADIVS P (pius) F (felix) AVG.

Rev. Arcadius standing, holding a standard while leaning on a shield, captive at feet, GLORIA ROMANORVM - the dominant theme on reverse designs at the time was praise of the valour of the army and the victories of the emperor.