Magnus Maximus Siliqua, struck AD 383-388 at Trier mint. Obv: D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVS ROMANORVM / TRPS, Roma seated facing, head left, holding globe in right and spear in left hand. 1,54 g, 16 mm. RIC 84 b The most important primary source of the period was written by Ammianus Marcellinus who has nothing good to say about Maximus. In A.D. 376 Maximinus was second-in-command to Lupicinus. They were in charge of settling the Goths in Roman territory. Marcellinus (31:4) wrote that - "The critical situation resulting from the opening of our frontier and in the eruption of armed men from the barbarian lands like lava from Etna called for generals of the highest distinction, but by some unfavourable dispensation of providence men of flawed character were collected and put in command. At their head were Lupicinus and Maximus, the one commander in Thrace and the other a disastrous general, both equally reckless. Their sinister greed was the source of all our troubles." Marcellinus said that one crime in particular was most loathsome. The Goths were starving so Lupicinus and Maximus traded them dogs, to be used for food, in exchange for tribesmen, who were to be slaves. Some of the people traded for food were even "the sons of leading men." Basically, Marcellinus blamed Maximus (and men like him) for agitating the Goths and pushing them towards rebellion and setting into motion the events which ultimately led to the Battle of Adrianople and the death of Valens. Valens, Eastern Roman Empire (AD 364-378). AE2 (22mm, 4.43 gm, 5h). Trier, AD 367-375. D N VALEN-S P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Valens right, seen from front / GLORI-A ROMA-NORVM, campgate with six rows, two turrets, no doors; S above, SMTR in exergue. RIC IX 29b. post your Mag Max and his son or some coins of the poor Valens
Three rather humble examples: Valens Augustus, A.D. 364-378 (Bronze) AE III Thessalonica mint, A.D. 364-367 Obv: D N VALEN-S P F AVG Rev: RESTITV-TOR REIP - Emperor, standing right, with laborum and holding Victory on globe TESΓ in exergue RIC 17(b) 18x20mm, 3.3g. Magnus Maximus Augustus, A.D. 383-388 (Bronze) AE II Arlate mint, A.D. 383-388 Obv: D N MAG MAXI-MVS P F AVG Rev: REPARATIO REIPVB - Emperor, standing, facing left, holding Victory on globe and raising kneeling turreted woman PCON in exergue RIC 26(a) 22mm, 4.2g. Flavius Victor (Infant son of Magnus Maximus) Augustus, A.D. 387-388 (Bronze) AE IV Rome mint, A.D. 387-388 Obv: D N FL VIC-TOR P F AVG Rev: SPES RO-MA-NORVM - Campgate with star between two turrets [RB?] in exergue RIC 59 13mm, 0.9g.
Magnus Maximus (383 - 388 A.D.) Æ13 O: D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG; Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: SPES ROMANORVM; Camp-gate with star between its two turrets // RT Rome Mint 387-388 A.D. 13mm 1.1g RIC IX 59.3, p. 131, rare. From the Doug Smith Collection #1507 Valens (364 - 378 A.D.) Æ3 O: DN VALENS PF AVG , Pearl - diademed , draped bust right . R: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE,Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm .D over Symbol in left field. F in right field. ASISCV in Exe. Siscia 18mm 2.6g RIC IX Siscia 15(b), xliii Published on Wildwinds!
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
Not in the best condition, my Valens from Lyon Obv - DN VALENS PF AVG Rev - RESTITVTOR REIP MM - PLVG
Maximus is a fascinating character - usually glorified (and even represented as an ancestor of King Arthur), so it's good to see another side. Here's a rare Constantinople issue from the brief period at the end of 383 or beginning of 384 when Theodosius recognized Magnus Maximus: Going the other way (West representing East), here's a siliqua of Valens from Arles:
