Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Decentius. Caesar, AD 350/1-353. AV Solidus (25mm, 3.96 g, 7h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck AD 353. D N DECENTI VS FORT CAES, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICT AVG LIB ROM ORB, Victory standing right; Libertas holding transverse scepter in left hand, standing left, supporting a trophy between them; Victory's right hand supports the shaft above that of Libertas'. Unpublished in the standard references. Underlying luster, areas of flat strike, edge lightly grazed on obverse. EF. A seemingly unique and highly interesting obverse legend variety.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 111 (24 September 2018), lot 245.
Decentius, the brother of the usurper Magnentius, was appointed as Caesar with the responsibility of guarding Gaul and repulsing any attacks by Germanic tribes while Magnentius was on campaign against Constantius II. Despite Magnentius's defeat by Constantius II at Mursa Major and setbacks in Gaul with the rebellion of Chnodomar, Decentius retained power in Gaul and attempted to rally the remaining forces against Constantius II. This unpublished solidus was struck at Decentius's capitol of Treveri in AD 353, likely as part of a donative to his soldiers that was intended to raise the morale of his demoralized troops and steel them for a final confrontation with Constantius II. What makes this coin unique is its obverse legend: here the normal NOB CAES (noble Caesar) has been replaced with FORT CAES (strong or brave Caesar). While a seemingly minute difference, it seems to have been chosen to portray Decentius as a strong military leader to his soldiers as he prepared them for the coming battle with Constantius II that would decide both his and his brother's fate.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 111 (24 September 2018), lot 245.
Decentius, the brother of the usurper Magnentius, was appointed as Caesar with the responsibility of guarding Gaul and repulsing any attacks by Germanic tribes while Magnentius was on campaign against Constantius II. Despite Magnentius's defeat by Constantius II at Mursa Major and setbacks in Gaul with the rebellion of Chnodomar, Decentius retained power in Gaul and attempted to rally the remaining forces against Constantius II. This unpublished solidus was struck at Decentius's capitol of Treveri in AD 353, likely as part of a donative to his soldiers that was intended to raise the morale of his demoralized troops and steel them for a final confrontation with Constantius II. What makes this coin unique is its obverse legend: here the normal NOB CAES (noble Caesar) has been replaced with FORT CAES (strong or brave Caesar). While a seemingly minute difference, it seems to have been chosen to portray Decentius as a strong military leader to his soldiers as he prepared them for the coming battle with Constantius II that would decide both his and his brother's fate.