Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 54 15 Dec 2019
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Nepotian, 3rd – 30th June 350 Æ2 3rd – 30th June 350, Æ 25.2mm., 4.54g. FL POP NEPOT – IANVS P F AVG Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed r. Rev. VRBS – ROMA Roma seated l. on shield, holding Victory on globe in r. hand and sceptre in l.; in exergue, R E. C 3. RIC 202. Bastien Nepotien, p. 408.
Extremely rare. Attractive dark green patina, Extremely Fine.
Though often artistic, coin portraits by the mid-4th Century had lost any sense of identity. Thus, the portraits of Nepotian, a counter-revolutionary from the Constantinian ranks, must be appreciated as an unexpected revival in an age of bland anonymity. Were it not for the shallower technique of die engraving, there would be little to distinguish this highly personalized image from one engraved at the same mint two centuries earlier, during the golden age of the Antonines. The reverse is remarkable for its simplicity, and it recalls the propaganda of Maxentius, the usurper who based himself in Rome from 306 to 312. Nepotian's brief reign was desperate and violent, but the times could hardly have produced anything else, for Rome was in a state of chaos. Only about 20 weeks earlier the rebel Magnentius had assumed control of the city after murdering the emperor Constans; Nepotian responded by gathering an army of ruffians to kill Anicius, the praetorian prefect Magnentius had left behind to govern Italy. In the days that followed, more supporters of Magnentius were murdered, but that could not prevent the city from being re-taken by those loyal to Magnentius less than a month after Nepotian's counter-revolution had been launched. A vengeful purge then followed in which many of the rebel's supporters fell, including his mother.
Extremely rare. Attractive dark green patina, Extremely Fine.
Though often artistic, coin portraits by the mid-4th Century had lost any sense of identity. Thus, the portraits of Nepotian, a counter-revolutionary from the Constantinian ranks, must be appreciated as an unexpected revival in an age of bland anonymity. Were it not for the shallower technique of die engraving, there would be little to distinguish this highly personalized image from one engraved at the same mint two centuries earlier, during the golden age of the Antonines. The reverse is remarkable for its simplicity, and it recalls the propaganda of Maxentius, the usurper who based himself in Rome from 306 to 312. Nepotian's brief reign was desperate and violent, but the times could hardly have produced anything else, for Rome was in a state of chaos. Only about 20 weeks earlier the rebel Magnentius had assumed control of the city after murdering the emperor Constans; Nepotian responded by gathering an army of ruffians to kill Anicius, the praetorian prefect Magnentius had left behind to govern Italy. In the days that followed, more supporters of Magnentius were murdered, but that could not prevent the city from being re-taken by those loyal to Magnentius less than a month after Nepotian's counter-revolution had been launched. A vengeful purge then followed in which many of the rebel's supporters fell, including his mother.