Here is a recent arrival, an AE2 of Magnus Maximus. He ruled from 383-388 in the Western Empire. Initially, as commander of Britain he led a revolt against Gratian. Through negotiation with Theodosius I and the intercession of the bishop Ambrose he assumed control of Britain, Gaul, Hispania, and Africa as an emperor in the West. In 387 he invaded Italy but in 388 he was defeated by Theodosius at the Battle of the Save and was eventually executed. Meanwhile, Arbogast, one of Theodosius' generals executed Maximus' son Flavius Victor by strangulation. Maximus' capital was Trier, from which he ruled over the west for a few years. He has a fairly interesting coinage, with coins struck in all three metals. This example is an AE2 of Arles. Magnus Maximus, 383 - 388 A.D. AE 2, 24mm 5.7 grams Obverse: DN MAG MAXIMVS PF AVG Diademed head right, draped and cuirassed Reverse: REPARATIO REIPVB Maximus standing left, crowned by Victory, raising kneeled, turreted figure of a woman Mintmark: TCON (Arles) Reference: RIC IX, 26A, Sear 20650 Feel free to post any Maxmus coins you have!
Nice write up and Coin @ancient coin hunter ! I do not foray much into the Imperial Period, but I do have MAG MAX: RI Magnus Maximus 383-388 CE AE Follis
nice one of the lrb's..hmmm... i might have one of him, his portrait lQQks familiar.. i need to scroll thru my lrb unknowns....still..
This AE4 campgate of Magnus Maximus is one of my favorite LRBs. I still need a Flavius Victor. MAGNUS MAXIMUS AE4. 0.9g, 14mm. Arles (Arelate) mint, AD 383-388. RIC IX Arelate 29a1. O: D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: SPES RO-MA-NORVM, campgate with star between two turrets; SCON in exergue.
Nice Arles mint example, @ancient coin hunter! And that's a lovely AE4, @zumbly. A couple of my favourite lrbs are also from these guys. This first one is a very rare Constantinople mint issue, issued while Theodosius briefly recognized Maximus's claim: The obverse legend and reverse type are both unique to this issue. And my favourite portrait on an AE4 is of Flavius Victor. This used to be in Frank Robinson's collection:
This is a very special coin. It was minted very briefly at the end of 383 or beginning of 384 during the initial phases of the introduction of the VIRTVS EXERCITI type at Constantinople. It also confirms the hypothesis presented in RIC IX that officina delta was reserved for coins of Maximus. These are extremely rare because most of them were retracted soon after minting and did not get to actually circulate very much (if at all most of them).
Son, FLAVIUS VICTOR: RI Flavius Victor: Roman Emperor: 384-388 A.D. Bronze AE4 (14mm,1.83 grams) Aquileia: 384-388 A.D. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Camp gate with two turrets; star above. Reference: SMAQS. RIC IX 55b.2; LRBC 1104
I'm quite pleased I got an AE2 of good size and weight for this emperor, thanks for the great examples everyone. Still need a Flavius Victor.
Thank you!! I'm missing that volume of RIC. It does seem there aren't more than a handful in existence. (Of the coin, not the book!)
Seems like a rarity indicator that is still relevant today, apart from all the R5's and unlisted variations that are a dime a dozen.
