Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
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Majorian AV Solidus. Arelate, AD 460-461. D N IVLIVS MAIORIANVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust to right, holding spear and shield decorated with Christogram / VICTORIA AVGGG, emperor standing facing, holding long cross and crowning figure of Victory, with foot on the head of a coiled human-headed serpent; A-R across fields, COMOB in exergue. RIC X 2631; Lacam -. 4.44g, 21mm, 6h.
NGC graded Ch XF 5/5 - 4/5 (#6158066-013). Extremely Rare.
From the GK Collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, Auction 2015, 14 November 2015, lot 93.
Often regarded as the last able emperor of the Western Empire, Majorian (AD 460-461) was an active general who managed to reconquer much of the lost territory of Gaul and Hispania, as well as attempting a series of legal and tax reforms. He had come to power after serving with distinction under Aetius, likely the most influential man in western Roman politics during the mid-fifth century. It was Aetius who had organized the coalition that decisively defeated Atilla the Hun in AD 451, crippling the Hunnic invasion of Gaul, and earning him the reputation as one of the greatest military commanders ever produced by the Roman empire, as well the contemporary description of "last true Roman of the West". Despite his achievements, he was later assassinated by so-called puppet Emperor Valentinian III in a decision which was described at the time as 'cut[ing] off your right hand with your left' (The Fragmentary History of Priscus, trans. J Given, 127). The death of Aetius, and then Valentinian himself, resulted in an interregnum during which nearly all of the remaining Western Empire was lost to various barbarian incursions.
Eventually it was Aetius' two most able commanders, Majorian and the Gothic-Suevi Ricimer, who together seized the throne in AD 458; however, the latter's lack of senatorial ancestry limited him to the post of magister militum and it was Majorian who was approved as emperor by the Senate. The relationship between these two men has been the subject of great historical interest. Ricimer would in many ways prove to be Aetius' real successor, proving himself to be the power behind the throne for three successive emperors. Nonetheless, Majorian was a considerable force to be reckoned with - he immediately set about subjugating the rebellious provinces of Gaul by both force and diplomacy, defeating the Visigothic and Burgundian kingdoms, reducing them to federate status and taking possession of the former imperial mints of Lugdunum and Arelate in late 458. The following spring, he advanced to Hispania and defeated the Suebic kingdom, reducing them to federate status.
Majorian thereupon began preparations for an invasion of North Africa. This rich province of great importance for the grain supply to Rome had been seized by the Vandals some two decades earlier, where they had founded a powerful and independent kingdom able to project its power to the extent that a Vandal army under Genseric thoroughly sacked Rome in 455. However, the Vandals had anticipated the invasion and had tried to negotiate a treaty with Majorian, but were rebuffed. Thus Genseric contrived to strike at the Roman fleet before it was full-wrought. A fleet of Vandal ships surprised the Romans, many of whose captains had been bribed by the Vandals. At the Battle of Elche (or Cartagena) in May 361, the Roman fleet was totally destroyed and "Majorian, frustrated in this manner from his intention, returned to Italy" (Hydatius, Chronicle, 200, s.a. 460). A treaty was signed "on disgraceful terms" and Majorian's reputation in Rome suffered a fatal blow (John of Antioch, trans. Gordon, fr.203, 117). His support had already been eroded by new policies aimed at recovering the tax revenues collected by landowners, many of which had not been remitted to central government.
This coin was struck at Arles, on the return journey from the failed campaign in North Africa. Only weeks later Majorian was intercepted by his former comrade Ricimer, and arrested, deposed, tortured and beheaded. Ricimer waited for three months before placing on the imperial throne a person he believed he could manipulate: he chose Libius Severus, a senator of no political distinction.
NGC graded Ch XF 5/5 - 4/5 (#6158066-013). Extremely Rare.
From the GK Collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, Auction 2015, 14 November 2015, lot 93.
Often regarded as the last able emperor of the Western Empire, Majorian (AD 460-461) was an active general who managed to reconquer much of the lost territory of Gaul and Hispania, as well as attempting a series of legal and tax reforms. He had come to power after serving with distinction under Aetius, likely the most influential man in western Roman politics during the mid-fifth century. It was Aetius who had organized the coalition that decisively defeated Atilla the Hun in AD 451, crippling the Hunnic invasion of Gaul, and earning him the reputation as one of the greatest military commanders ever produced by the Roman empire, as well the contemporary description of "last true Roman of the West". Despite his achievements, he was later assassinated by so-called puppet Emperor Valentinian III in a decision which was described at the time as 'cut[ing] off your right hand with your left' (The Fragmentary History of Priscus, trans. J Given, 127). The death of Aetius, and then Valentinian himself, resulted in an interregnum during which nearly all of the remaining Western Empire was lost to various barbarian incursions.
Eventually it was Aetius' two most able commanders, Majorian and the Gothic-Suevi Ricimer, who together seized the throne in AD 458; however, the latter's lack of senatorial ancestry limited him to the post of magister militum and it was Majorian who was approved as emperor by the Senate. The relationship between these two men has been the subject of great historical interest. Ricimer would in many ways prove to be Aetius' real successor, proving himself to be the power behind the throne for three successive emperors. Nonetheless, Majorian was a considerable force to be reckoned with - he immediately set about subjugating the rebellious provinces of Gaul by both force and diplomacy, defeating the Visigothic and Burgundian kingdoms, reducing them to federate status and taking possession of the former imperial mints of Lugdunum and Arelate in late 458. The following spring, he advanced to Hispania and defeated the Suebic kingdom, reducing them to federate status.
Majorian thereupon began preparations for an invasion of North Africa. This rich province of great importance for the grain supply to Rome had been seized by the Vandals some two decades earlier, where they had founded a powerful and independent kingdom able to project its power to the extent that a Vandal army under Genseric thoroughly sacked Rome in 455. However, the Vandals had anticipated the invasion and had tried to negotiate a treaty with Majorian, but were rebuffed. Thus Genseric contrived to strike at the Roman fleet before it was full-wrought. A fleet of Vandal ships surprised the Romans, many of whose captains had been bribed by the Vandals. At the Battle of Elche (or Cartagena) in May 361, the Roman fleet was totally destroyed and "Majorian, frustrated in this manner from his intention, returned to Italy" (Hydatius, Chronicle, 200, s.a. 460). A treaty was signed "on disgraceful terms" and Majorian's reputation in Rome suffered a fatal blow (John of Antioch, trans. Gordon, fr.203, 117). His support had already been eroded by new policies aimed at recovering the tax revenues collected by landowners, many of which had not been remitted to central government.
This coin was struck at Arles, on the return journey from the failed campaign in North Africa. Only weeks later Majorian was intercepted by his former comrade Ricimer, and arrested, deposed, tortured and beheaded. Ricimer waited for three months before placing on the imperial throne a person he believed he could manipulate: he chose Libius Severus, a senator of no political distinction.