Another retiree moves to Florida

Knowing about all of the Roman emperors that met bloody and unfortunate deaths at the hands of others, it is a bit refreshing to read about those emperors that weren't hated and that died naturally. Vetranio is one of them.

An experienced officer in the Roman army in 350 AD, Vetranio was asked by Constantina, sister of Emperor Constantius II, to take up the throne alongside Constantius after her other brother and co-emperor Constans was killed by the usurper Magnentius. Vetranio agreed to become co-emperor and fight against Magnentius; Constantius II agreed to this arrangement as well, especially since he was already preoccupied in the east fighting against the Persians.

Later on, Vetranio entered negotiations with Magnentius, and both came up with the offer of a marriage alliance between the families of Magnentius and Constantius, but the catch being that Constantius had to demobilize his forces and accept Magnentius as co-emperor. This deal was rejected by Constantius.

As soon as Constantius got back from his eastern campaign, he met with Vetranio in the Balkans, and in the city of Naissus on December 25, 350, Vetranio abdicated after a reign of almost 10 months. He spent the rest of his life as a retired private citizen in Bithynia, dying six years later in 356.

Vetranio, Eastern Roman Empire
AE centenionalis
Obv: D N VETRANIO P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Vetranio standing, facing, and holding labarum in each hand, A-B across fields, star above
Mint: Thessalonika (Mintmark: dot TS delta dot; struck March-Dec 350 AD)
Ref: RIC 131

 

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Nice => super new coin, Jango ... I don't have an example of this dude, so I am quite jealous of your sweet score (great eye-appeal on this baby!!)



Oh and yes, it is always a feel-good story when you run across a ruler that wasn't forced to drink molten gold and/or wasn't stuff and used as a foot-stool (cheers to V-dawg!!)

 

Very nice coin and write up,

Ehh Steve drink melted gold?.

 

=> I never say "no" to a challenge, my friend!!

 

My 'second' favorite gold

 

I have a 'replacement' for the Vetranio I sold a few years back---lower grade but nice.....An AE-2 type with a Concordia Militvm reverse.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of a few Emperors who 'retired' peacefully---The Tetricii and Diocletian???

 

It does seem a bit odd that a ruler of antiquity would gladly step down and live as a privet citizen. In some respects I can understand why. He probably thought it really wasn't worth it to deal with all the BS of being a head of state. Kudos to you for finding this guy! I like him not for what he did but his attitude towards not doing. Love it.

 

By the way VK, congratulations on your retirement and move to Florida...I may do the same next year as I already have family who moved down to St Pete a few years back...and I was once stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa...

Great coin and great write-up!!

 

...that is way funnier than you think...

 

Thanks all!

You might want to check my profile

 

How so???

I feel like I'm missing an 'inside joke'....

 

Hmmm, I heard of successful dudes 'retiring' at 30, but 23 LOL--- that is ridiculous

 

Nice coin VK, these coins are not so easy to find in decent shape.


VETRANIO
AE3
OBVERSE: DN VETRA-NIO PF AVG Laureate bust right
REVERSE: VIRTVS AV-G-VSTORVM Emperor bare head and in military dress standing right, holding spear and globe and kicking a seated captive, mintmark officina letter and SIS
Struck at Siscia 350 AD
2.7g, 17.5mm
RIC 296 (Siscia), LRBC 1182


VETRANIO
AE3
OBVERSE: DN VETRANIO P F AVG - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: VIRTVS EXERCITVM Exe: TES - Vetranio standing left, holding labarum and resting hand on shield
Struck at Thessalonica 350 AD
4.0g, 24mm
RIC 138, LRBC 1652

 

DUH, You were referring solely to Vetranio and his retirement....

Don't get old. The legs do not go first LOL

 

Are you sure Mikey?

 

Sir, Have we met???

 

I dunno. They say memory is the second thing to go. I don't remember the first.

 

Good choice, VK, and nice coins everyone. Vetranio is definitely on my hit list, just haven't gotten to him yet.

I understand his decision completely. If someone offered me the position of Roman emperor, I would turn it down in a heartbeat. Nooooo thank you!

 

Hey curious, Jango? => ummm, are you planning-on staying put and retiring in Florida, or do have bigger plans to venture North in search of ancient inuit whale-bone-coins?

 

Yeah right. I'll be right there little brother.