Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction XLVIII 2 Dec 2017
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Majorian (457-461). AE 13 mm. Ravenna mint. Obv. DN MAIORIANVS PF AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. VICTORIA AVCCC. Emperor standing facing, head left, placing right hand on head of kneeling captive and holding standard; in exergue, RV. Cf. RIC X 2620-21. (R4-R5). LRBC 869. LRC 879. Ranieri 147. C. 3 (Fr. 25). Cf. Artemide XXXII, lot 182). AE. g. 1.49 RRRR. Of the greatest rarity, only few specimens known. In excellent condition for issue. VF.
Majorian came from an illustrious Italian family and was considered a possible successor to the throne after the death of Valentinian III in 455. With the deposition of Avitus in October 456, Majorian and Ricimer were the de facto rulers of the West, and Majorian was proclaimed emperor by the army on 1 April 457. Just as Avitus had not been accepted in Italy, Majorian was not accepted in Gaul, and he successfully led military campaigns in 458/9 to quell any threat of revolt from that quarter. He did not have such luck in Spain, however, as in 460/1 his two naval expeditions against Gaiseric met with disaster. In the meantime, he also had aroused the suspicions of Ricimer, and after Majorian's return to Rome on 2 August 461 he was seized, and five days later he was beheaded.
(Triton V, 2236, note).
Majorian came from an illustrious Italian family and was considered a possible successor to the throne after the death of Valentinian III in 455. With the deposition of Avitus in October 456, Majorian and Ricimer were the de facto rulers of the West, and Majorian was proclaimed emperor by the army on 1 April 457. Just as Avitus had not been accepted in Italy, Majorian was not accepted in Gaul, and he successfully led military campaigns in 458/9 to quell any threat of revolt from that quarter. He did not have such luck in Spain, however, as in 460/1 his two naval expeditions against Gaiseric met with disaster. In the meantime, he also had aroused the suspicions of Ricimer, and after Majorian's return to Rome on 2 August 461 he was seized, and five days later he was beheaded.
(Triton V, 2236, note).