Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire

Majorian, 457 – 461. Solidus, Arelate 457-461, AV 4.37 g. D N IVLIVZ MAIORI – ANVS P F AVG Helmeted, pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust r., holding spear in r. hand and shield bearing Christogram in l. Rev. VICTORI – Α AVGGG Emperor standing facing., holding long cross and Victory on globe, r. foot on man-headed serpent; in field, A – R and in exergue, COMOB. C 1. RIC 2632. Lacam 25 (this obverse die). LRC 884. Depeyrot 25/2.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Perfecly struck and
centred on a full flan, an almost invisible mark on reverse,
otherwise good extremely fine

This coin is sold with an export license from the Republic of France.

By the time he was hailed emperor in 457, the nobleman Majorian had seen considerable experience in government and military affairs and, in fact, he had almost become emperor in 455 after the murder of Valentian III. By the standards of the time, Majorian was an uncommonly gifted and dutiful emperor, and we may attribute his downfall to a stroke of bad fortune. During the reign of the puppet emperor Avitus (455-456) Majorian began to cultivate an alliance with the Master of Soldiers Ricimer, and together they ousted him in 456. As they awaited approval from Constantinople for Majorian's appointment, the old emperor of the East Marcian died, at which point Ricimer did not hesitate to hail Majorian emperor of the West on April 1, 457, but he was not officially installed until December 28.
Majorian soon left Ravenna to campaign in Gaul against the Visigoths and Burgundians in 458 and 459. He then returned to Italy to take on the Vandals, who he first encountered in Campania in the form of a raiding party that he drove back out to sea. By 460 he had assembled a fleet of about 300 warships to sail against the Vandals, but the entire fleet was captured while in port in Spain, and Majorian had to make peace under humiliating terms. He returned to Italy in 461 to a dispirited public and a wary Ricimer, who turned against him. The dejected emperor was captured on August 2, 461, and five days later he was dead, either by execution, suicide or dysentery.