NumisBids
  
Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LII  26-27 Oct 2019
View prices realized

Lot 389

Starting price: 300 EUR
Price realized: 340 EUR
Find similar lots
Share this lot: Share by Email
Majorian (457-461). AE Nummus, Mediolanum mint. D/ DN IVL MAIORIANVS PF AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. R/ VICTORIA AVGGG. Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm frond; in exergue, [M]D. Cf. RIC 2641. AE. g. 2.02 mm. 13.50 RR. Very rare and in excellent condition for issue. About 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 458-459 to quell any threat of revolt from that quarter. He did not have such luck in Spain, however, as in 460-461 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 beheaded five days later.
All of Majorian's coins are scarce, if not rare. The bronze issues were struck at Mediolanum (Milan), Ravenna, and Rome, and the Milan issue is exceptional for the fact that the mint was not a moneta publica – this type and an uncertain specimen of Nepos being the only bronze it is known to have issued. In the absence of the mint mark, a situation which is frequently encountered on the fifth-century aes coinage due to the small flan size and crude workmanship, often one must depend totally on style for mint attribution. In the case of Majorian's Milan issue this becomes quite easy as the style is distinctive, most noticeably in the bulbous facial features and long neck. (CNG 327, 968 note).
Question about this auction? Contact Artemide Aste s.r.l.