Last Coin of 2020 - Decentius Caesar

Magnus Decentius (died 18 August 353) was a usurper of the western portion of the Roman Empire against emperor Constantius II. Decentius was the brother of Magnentius, who had revolted against Constantius on 18 January 350.

Magnentius elevated Decentius as Caesar in the winter of 351-52, to oversee the defence of Gaul and the Rhine frontier. He was appointed consul ordinarius in 352. In the following year, after he had lost the battle of Mursa Major, Magnentius' exactions to finance the war drove Gaul into revolt against his dictatorial rule, and Decentius was expelled from the capital, Treves, which headed the revolt.

Constantius had in the meantime incited the Alemanni to invade the province in order to increase the pressure on the usurper. Decentius, who led his brother's forces in the north, was defeated in a pitched battle by the Alemanic chief Chnodomar, and besieged in Sens. Decentius, when he heard of Magnentius' defeat by Constantius at the Battle of Mons Seleucus and his subsequent suicide, strangled himself in the besieged city, signaling the end of the civil war. While not exactly uncommon, coins of Decentius often are in poor condition. This example fills a hole in the collection and features a nice patina. As my last coin purchase of 2020 I thought I'd share it here. Post any coins of Decentius or his brother Magnentius that you wish.

Rudolph wishes Happy Holidays to All!

Type: Bronze AE2

Weight: 5.39 g

Diameter: 24.00 mm

Obverse: DN DECENTIVS CAESAR, bareheaded cuirassed bust of Decentius right

Reverse: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT / V / MVLT X

 

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Yes, nice patina with great sand effect. The two brothers


Magnentius, Maiorina - Treveri mint, 1st officina,
DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG, bare bust draped right, A behind
VICTORIA DD NN AVG ET CAE, two victories holding a wreath where is inscribed : VOT/V/MVLT/X. TRP at exergue
4.73 gr
Ref : Cohen # 68, Roman coins # 4024, LRBC # 56,



Decentius, Maiorina - Lyon mint
DN DECENTIVS CAES, bare bust, cuirassed right
VICTORIA DD NN AVG ET CAE, two victories holding a wreath where is inscribed : VOT/V/MVLT/X. Dot and SV in field
4.46 gr
Ref : Cohen # 33, Roman coins # 4035, LRBC # 224

Q

 

Very nice coins! Here's my Decentius from the Rome mint, with a face that stands out from those of this period:

Decentius (350-353), Maiorina, Rome mint, 2nd officina.
Obverse: MAG DECENTI-VS NOB CAES, bareheaded cuirassed bust right, seen from the front. B behind;
Reverse: VICT D D N N AVG ET CAES, two Victories standing facing each other, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT V MVLT X. Mintmark (unidentifiable) in exergue;
RIC 217

 

DECENTIUS

RI Decentius 350-353 CE AE19 VOT V

 

Very nice! I don't have a Decentius yet, but here's my Magnentius.


Magnentius, Treveri, 352 AD, (AE, 23.3 mm, 4.55g), Bare-headed bust to right, A behind/ Two Victories holding wreath with inscription VOT / V / MVLT / X; TRP in exergue

 

Nice coins of Magnentius and Decentius, folks!

 

Don't forget when shopping for Decentius that he also issued the large Chi-Rho type. They are harder to find in decent shape than are the two victory coins. This one is from Lugdunum.

 

I'm learning, thanks for the education. I wish I had the patience you ancients collectors have, you are to be commended, for sure! Happy and safe holidays.

 

Some maiorina issues included a Chi-Rho as well, such as this one from Arles:

Decentius, Arles mint, 351-352 AD, AE Maiorina
Obv.: Draped, cuirassed bust right, A in left field. DN DECENTIVS CAESAR B
Rev.: Two Victories, facing each other, holding wreath inscribed VOT/ V/ MVLT/ X, Chi-Rho above shield, I below shield; VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, ex.: SAR
Diam.: 22 mm. Weight: 4.4 gr.
Attrib.: RIC VIII 185

The appearance of the Christogram on coins issued in his name was most likely politically motivated rather than faith motivated. Both Decentius and Magnentius seem to have used this Christian emblem in their endeavor to use the Church and its support base to favor their own cause against the Arian Constantius II.

 

The coinage of Magnentius and Decentius is fascinating. A huge amount of variety jammed into a very brief period.

For those interested, my article "Redating Nepotian's Usurpation and the Coinage of Magnentius" from KOINON I, is now available for download (free) on my academia page:

https://www.academia.edu/41214464/Redating_Nepotians_Usurpation_and_the_Coinage_of_Magnentius

The article re-examines the historical sources and numismatic evidence related to the brief rebellion of Nepotian at Rome and proposes re-dating this rebellion from the traditionally accepted June 350 to May-June 351. The implications of this re-dating are the examined - the necessity of re-dating of most of Bastien's phases of Magnentian coinage, Magnentius' elevation of Decentius to caesar, Magnentius' recognition of Constantius II and the weight reduction of the bronze coinage.

SC

 

I have a couple:

Decentius, as Caesar, Æ Centenionalis. Treveri, AD 351-352. D N DECENTIVS FORT CAES, bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, A behind / VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES, two Victories holding wreath inscribed VOT V MVLT X in four lines; TRS in exergue. RIC 313. 4.45g, 24mm, 6h.


DECENTIUS Caesar 350-353 Ae Ambianum Abv D N DECENTIVS NOB DAES Rev VICTORIIAE DD NN AVG E CAE /S-V/P palm HMB palm Two Victories standing facing one another holding a wreath inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/X and set upon a column RIC CGB October 2018 lot 174. Rare. VF 3.35 g Diameter 21mm

I would say these are decent Decentius. Sorry, I just can't help myself.

 

Nice coins Hamilcar. That second is clearly an unofficial copy despite the beautiful portrait. The reverse legend ends in AVG E CIIE, even if we allow the II as a poorly engraved A we are missing the T for ET. The X on the shield is tilted into a cross and the mint mark is, I assume, an imitation of the AMB of Ambianum. Great coin!

 

Thanks for the info. Very useful.

 

Yes, I have an example of this unofficial Decentius as well. Several examples of these well made, if inaccurate, forgeries were published in an issue of the Numismatic Chronicle from the 50s or 60s. Can't be certain of the year, for I have mislaid my notes! Here is mine:

 

We talked about this before

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/august-18th-death-of-decentius.365245/#post-4761366

 

Just got the coin in the mail. Shipped on 23 December from Portugal.

 

Interesting thread. I have but one Decentius:


Decentius Æ Centenionalis
(351-352 A.D.)
Lugdunum (Lyons) Mint
DN DECENTIVS NO[B CA]ES, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right / VICTORIAE DD NN AVG [ET CAE], two Victories standing with wreath with VOT V MVLT X in four lines; SP//RSLG.
RIC Lyons 137; Bastien 177.
(4.83 grams / 20 mm)