That time in Aquileia when Magnentius got pinkeye and thus turned into an astronaut in battle...

It could happen to the best of us... pink eye is no joke. I also hear that ancient aliens had a cure for it but it involved going into battle with an astronaut helmet on.
So yeah, that being said, someone call Erich von Daniken!




MAGNENTIUS AE2 24x22mm 4.17g Maiorina/Centenionalis (aVF, corrosion spots, deposits)

AV: DN MAGNEN - TIVS PF AVG; bare headed draped cuirassed bust r.

REV: GLORIA ROMANORVM; Emperor galloping spearing enemy, shield and broken spear underneath the horse; * in field r.

EXE: AQS• Aquileia mint

REF: RIC VIII Aquileia 158, rated Common, but actually rather scarce, 351AD.

Aquileia is a scarce mint for Magnentius, as it was under his rule between 350 and 351AD, being lost to Constantius II soon after the elevation of Decentius. This spec is from the first group of 351 before the elevation of Decentius and the battle of Mursa Major which determined Magnentius's retreat from Italy and Dalmatia back to Gaul.

 

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Well detailed Magnentius. I only have one of his coins and not near as nice:

MAGNENTIUS
AE3
OBVERSE: DN MAGNENTIVS P F AVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust
REVERSE: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, two Victories standing facing each other, holding wreath between them inscribed VOT V MVLT X in four lines. Epsilon over IS in lower centre. Mintmark PAR in exergue
Struck at Arelate 350-3 AD
3.8g, 20mm
Arles RIC VIII 177

 

I'm actually curious if someone else has other examples from Aquileia. There were a few different types minted for Magnentius there.
The twin victories type was minted there too for both Magnentius and for a short period, Decentius too.

 

That guy is nuttier than a fruit cake.

 

Two Magnentius here, but none from Aquileia (Trier and Amiens), as for Decentius I only have one, from Lyon

Q

 

My Magnentius is was struck at Amiens.....and my Decentius at Trier.

 

I love the reverse and its incorporation of early Christian iconography.

 

that's a great reverse!

my two victories is from arles, and this is my only coin of ol' magnentius.

 

Must be some good stuff you're taking

Just kidding Nice detail on that one.

 

This is my Magnentius. Ugly and adorable:

Ugh - i don't have the attribution with me... There's a guy on a horse doing something to a guy not on a horse.

 

Yes, it was one of those instances when crappy seller's pictures work in your favor.

 

Did someone say Decentius?

DECENTIUS
AE Centenionalis
OBVERSE: D N DECENTIVS NOB CAES, cuirassed bust right, G behind
REVERSE: VICT DD NN AVG ET CAES, two Victories standing facing each other holding shield inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/X, RS in ex.
Struck at Rome, 350-3 AD
3.6 g, 21mm
RIC 215,G

 

And this would be my Decentius... Struck in Arles

 

That's Decent!!

 

Sadly, I don't have a Decentius ...

=> oh, but I do have this now infamous Magnentius winner ...

 

Thanks for the opportunity to post one of my few Roman coins. My coin is an Arelate mint Decentius:

DECENTIUS as Caesar
AE2 (Actually 24 mm from strike)
351-363 AD
24 mm, XX grams Copper
Obv: DN DECENTIVS FORT CAES
Bare headed simple draped bust
facing right.
Rev: VICT DD NN HVG ET CAES
Two victories standing facing
each other holding between them
a shield (VOT - V - MVL - X) in
the shield, FSAR in exergue.
Grade:aVF with strong effects of
double strike on both the obverse
& reverse legends.
Other: Arelate mint. Similar to Sear #4036. RIC VIII 165. Sited as “scarce” on acsearch.




Edit to add: Astronaut Helmet & Aliens? = Romulans & Vulcans!

 

"Magnetius, you are the father!"

 

I own a Decentius, minted in Arles, two victories reverse but I can't locate the photo and it's too late to take another.

Here's a Magentius I can't tell where it's from.

 

I just got this AV Solidus from Aquileia Mint
AV Solidus ND 351/52AD
Aquileia Mint
Magnentius 350-53AD
Bareheaded/ Draped/ Cuirassed Bust Right
D N MAGNEN TIVS PF AVG
Victoria on Left/ holding Palm Frond over Left Shoulder
Libertas on Right/holding Scepter/ Both supporting Trophy
between them
VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR*
SMAQ in Exergue
4.27g. 23mm. 12h
EX: Barry Fierstein Collection/ Numismatica Ars Classica 42 (20.11.2007)

 

This Magnentius is from Lyons.