This coin is courtesy of the FSR auction of last week and was received Saturday. Hadn't had a chance to photograph it til yesterday. Vetranio was declared Caesar in the West on March 1, 250, largely upon the instigation of Constantina, the wife of Constantinus II whose brother, Constans, had been killed by the usurper Magnentius. However, his coinage portrayed him as Augustus rather than Caesar. At first, Constantius II accepted the situation and even sent money and troops to Vetranio to help him in the fight against Magnentius. However, on December 25, 350 Constantius II mounted a rostrum in Naissus along with Vetranio and managed to give a strong speech to the assembled soldiers of Vetranio that he should be the sole emperor. Vetranio agreed to step down from office and the aged statesman was called "father" by Constantius II. He was given a state pension and lived out the remainder of his days peacefully in Bithynia. Vetranio 350 A.D. Type AE 2, 23mm, 5.1 grams Obverse: DN VETRANIO PF AVG Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, "A" behind head in left field. Reverse: CONCORDIA MILITVM Vetranio standing left between two labara emblazoned with the Chi-Rho, star above Mintmark: dot ASIS Reference: RIC VIII, 285A; Sear 18903
Very nice! Here's my Vetranio, same mint but different officina. This portrait makes him look criminal: Vetranio AD 350 Roman AE maiorina; 4.77 g, 24mm Siscia, AD 350 Obv: D N VETRA-NIO P F AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; A to left Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Vetranio standing left, holding labarum in each hand; star above; A to left; in exergue: •ΓSIS✷ Refs: RIC 281; LRBC 1168; Cohen 1; RCV 18903.
Your coin has a laureate bust versus a diadem. For these Vetranio issues, Constantius II has a pearl diadem, while Vetranio is laureate, denoting his junior position. RIC VIII is in error for Thessalonica, which describes some Vetranio coins as pearl-diademed. This is just a result of the peculiar engraving style.
Nice coin, and writeup too! Here's an epsilon officina. Anyone have beta and delta to complete our set?
VETRANIO AE3 OBVERSE: DN VETRA-NIO PF AVG Laureate bust right REVERSE: VIRTVS AV-G-VSTORVM Emperor bare head and in military dress standing right, holding spear and globe and kicking a seated captive, mintmark officina letter and SIS Struck at Siscia 350 AD 2.7g, 17.5mm RIC 296 (Siscia), LRBC 1182
Nice @ancient coin hunter ! FSR is a GREAT resource, very knowledgable, and very trusted. RI Vetranio 350 CE AE3 17mm Siscia mint Emp stdng hldg Standard and Spear
I recently bought these two Vetranio: VETRANIO (350). Ae. Siscia. Obv: D N VETRANIO P F AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; A to left. Rev: HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS / A / ASIS✷. Vetranio standing left, holding labarum and spear; to right, crowning Victory standing left. RIC 279. Weight: 4.6 g. Diameter: 23 mm. Patina was damaged on some places. VETRANIO (350). Ae. Siscia. Obv: D N VETRANIO P F AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; A to left, star to right. Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM / A / •ЄSIS•. Vetranio standing left, holding labarum in each hand; star above. RIC 285. Weight: 4.3 g. Diameter: 23 mm.
