I stumbled across a couple of Magnentius coins and had to buy them as they both come from Lugdunum. They are both relatively common but I thought them worthy of taking home. Looking through my records showed me that it has been 5 years since I last bought a Magnentius coin. They also gave me an excuse to pull out my "Le Monnayage de Magnence" by Pierre Bastien. I stubmled across this book a few years ago and had not seen one offered previously. Upong getting it home I found that itwas Ex-Libris GerogesLe Rider and was sent to Mr. Le Rider by Mr. Bastien on 3rd July 1964 with an signed inscription by Bastien on the first page. This first one appealed on many levels. There is quite alot of detail and the coin has a blueish hue over a chocolate brown. Magnentius - Centenionalis Obv:– D N MAGNEN-TIVS P F AVG, Bare-headed, draped & cuirassed bust right; A behind head Rev:– VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, Two Victories supporting wreath inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/X Mint – Lugdunum (SV//RPLG). Beginning A.D. 351 to August A.D. 352 Reference(s) – Cohen 68. Bastien 174 (12). RIC VIII Lugdunum 126 (C) The second doesn't have quite the same eye appeal as the first coin and suffers from a slightly uneven strike, which is evident between 3 and 6 o'clock on the obverse and the corresponding 12 to 3 o'clock on the reverse. The Christogram does tend to add to the commercial appeal though. The remainder of the coin stillhas some pleasing detail remaining. Magnentius - Centenionalis Obv:– D N MAGNEN-TIVS P F AVG, Bare-headed, draped & cuirassed bust right; A behind head Rev:– VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, two Victories standing facing each other, holding wreath inscribed VOT-V-MVLT-X , chi-rho in upper centre Mint – Lugdunum (SP/RPLG). August A.D. 352 to end A.D. 352 Reference(s) – Cohen 69. Bastien 194 (8). RIC VIII Lugdunum 145 (C) Martin
I agree with your assessment Martin, but both are LOVELY!!! The devices practically jump out and and move. Beautiful style!!
Two great new Magnentius additions (congrats Martin) ... wow, you're on a spending spree, eh? Ummm TIF, have I ever told you the story of buying my MagNancytius?
nice indeed! man, that first coin is awesome...great color and detail. my only coin of this cat isn't so awesome as either of martins or the magnancytius...
I am a big fan of Magnentius but not nearly as into Lugdunum as you are. The two victories are probably the most common of the types probably explaining why my best coin is a match for your better one. I do not have a match for the Chi-Rho from Lugdunum so I'll go way off and show a coin of his brother (?) Decentius Caesar from Arles. At least it has the Chi-Rho. My favorite mint is Amiens so I'll also show a slightly different 'cross-Rho' from that mint. I love the style even though the surfaces are not the best. For a ruler in power for so short a time, I feel Magnentius has a lot of interest to offer. Steve showed the most popular huge Chi-Rho. There are too many others to cover well (even if I had them all - I don't) but I am fond of the emperor on horseback spearing an enemy soldier. It should not surprise that my example is also from Amiens. The most rare Magnentius is a Falling Horseman of the standard type (FH2) issued either in error or by an unofficial operation. I don't have one but it is on the watchlist. Magnentius does have gold and silver but those are not even reasonably on my list. Do show them if you have them.
