I just got this unofficial Magnentius coin. The style is not too bad and the spelling is close. The size is is also about the same as official coins (a bit bigger than average if the seller recorded it right), though the weight is lower. This one might have passed through regular circulation as long as nobody really looked at it. Magnentius circa A.D. 350-3 23mm 3.8g D N MAGNEN-TIVS P AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. [FELICITAS REI]-PVBLICE; Emperor standing left holding Victory on globe in right hand and labarum. In ex. •RPLG cf. RIC VIII Lyons 116 and the real deal for comparison Magnentius A.D. 350-3 22mm 5.3gm D N MAGNENTIVS P F AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. FELICITAS REIPVBLICE; Emperor standing left holding Victory on globe in right hand and labarum. In ex. RPLG RIC VIII Lyons 112 Post some Magnentius if you got 'em...preferably unofficial.
I've had more trouble getting something official than unofficial for Magnentius. This is a chewed AE3-sized bronze, which was sold as official, but looking at how the lettering doesn't fit the shield, I'm not sure about that. Magnentius, 350-353 Amiens? 18mm, 2.69g (RCV V 18815). Found near Colchester, Essex, UK
Of all the emperors there are probably the most 'possibly' unofficial coins of Magnentius. There are coins I 'know' are unofficial and coins I 'believe' are official but there are just as many that could go either way on any given day. I am not commenting on which of mine are which in my opinion at this second. I am wrong something on the order of half the time. I lied; there are a couple with comments. This first one is definitely unofficial but it only 'may' be Magnentius. I prefer to call it Decentius by virtue of counting the bumps (Magnentius has one more letter). If official and Magnentius, it would be very rare; if Decentius it would be unique. It makes no difference since it is not even close to official. Overstruck on Constantine II I believe this is Magnentius but it does not make any list in the literature. Obverse is upside down - trust me. double strike Cat faced horse Not exactly a cat but not all that horse faced either....
An interesting ancient imitation. The lettering appears to show how the engraver learned to engrave mirror-inverted characters on the go. I believe all three of my Magnentii to be official: Magnentius, Roman Empire, AE2, 350–353 AD, Trier mint. Obv: DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnentius r., A behind. Rev: GLORIA ROMANORVM, rider galloping r., spearing barbarian with r. hand; below horse, shield and broken spear; barbarian kneeling, extending arms in front of horse; in exergue, TRS (crescent). 22 mm, 5.13 g. Ref: RIC VIII, Treveri 271 S. Magnentius, Roman Empire, AE2, 352 AD, Trier mint. Obv: DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnentius r., A behind. Rev: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES; two Victories, winged, draped, facing each other, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/X; in exergue, TRS. 22mm, 5.82g. Ref: RIC VIII Treveri 312. Magnentius, Roman Empire, AE2, 350–353 AD, Lugdunum mint. Obv: DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnentius r,, A behind. Rev: GLORIA ROMANORVM, rider galloping r., spearing barbarian with r. hand; below horse, shield and broken spear; barbarian kneeling, extending arms in front of horse; in exergue, RPLG. 20mm, 2,61g. Ref: RIC VIII Lugdunum 115.
this is probably my current favorite "barb" of Magnentius Magnentius circa A.D. 350-3 20x21mm 4.0gm [D N MAGNEN]-TIVS P F AV[G]; bare-headed, draped & cuirassed bust right, A behind bust. SALVS [DD NN AVG ET C]AES; large Chi-Rho flanked by N-W In ex. TRP Cf. RIC VIII Trier 320 and a neat one that I sold This is a copy of a very rare type- VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR. The mintmark TR means it was copying a Trier coin, but RIC does not even list this type in bronze from Trier, but it does have it in gold. Perhaps an official example is out there that this coin copied. There are bronzes with this reverse from Rome. 19x21mm 3.9gm VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR; Victory stg. right; Libertas, holding transverse scepter in l. hand, stg. L. They support between them a plain shaft carrying a trophy.
That's interesting, @Victor_Clark. Mine's a common two Victories type. Magnentius, AD 350-353. Roman billon heavy maiorina, 4.68 g, 20.1 mm, 6h. Arles, AD 352. Obv: D N MAGNEN-TIVS P F AVG, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust; A behind. Rev: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, two Victories holding wreath inscribed VOT/V/MVL/X and surmounted by chi-rho; I//PAR. Refs: RIC viii, p. 217, 184; RCV 18823; LRBC II 441; Bastien 272.
This is my favorite unofficial Magnentius. The coin is smaller than official coins at 19.10 mm (weight 3.160 g), but the condition is superbe.
