Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3032 10-12 April 2014
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Magnentius (AD 350-353). AV reduced-weight solidus (23mm, 3.70 gm, 12h). Arles, AD 353. D N MAGNEN-TIVS AVG, bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnentius right, seen from front / VICT AVG LIB ROM ORB, Victory (on left, standing right) facing Roma (standing left), holding between them a military trophy on a jeweled staff, NAR in exergue. RIC VIII 159 (R3) (this coin noted, obverse legend misdescribed). Bastien 276. Deeply struck on a broad flan. NGC (photo-certificate) AU 5/5 - 3/5, clipped. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Neil S. Phillips Collection (Spink London, 7-9 October 1997), lot 391; Goodacre Collection (Christie's London, March 1986). After seizing the throne, Magnentius' initial gold coinage tended to be slightly heavier than that issued by his rival Constantius II. Toward the end of Magnentius' usurpation, financial straits forced a reduction in the gold solidus from the normal weight of around 4.5 grams to around 3.7 grams. Reduced-weight solidi are known from both the Arles and Trier mints but remain extremely rare. Despite having lost a major battle to Constantius II and Magnentius' reduced situation, the reverse still grandly proclaims "the Victory of our Emperor brings Liberty to the Roman World."
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD
Magnentius (AD 350-353). AV reduced-weight solidus (23mm, 3.70 gm, 12h). Arles, AD 353. D N MAGNEN-TIVS AVG, bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnentius right, seen from front / VICT AVG LIB ROM ORB, Victory (on left, standing right) facing Roma (standing left), holding between them a military trophy on a jeweled staff, NAR in exergue. RIC VIII 159 (R3) (this coin noted, obverse legend misdescribed). Bastien 276. Deeply struck on a broad flan. NGC (photo-certificate) AU 5/5 - 3/5, clipped. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Neil S. Phillips Collection (Spink London, 7-9 October 1997), lot 391; Goodacre Collection (Christie's London, March 1986). After seizing the throne, Magnentius' initial gold coinage tended to be slightly heavier than that issued by his rival Constantius II. Toward the end of Magnentius' usurpation, financial straits forced a reduction in the gold solidus from the normal weight of around 4.5 grams to around 3.7 grams. Reduced-weight solidi are known from both the Arles and Trier mints but remain extremely rare. Despite having lost a major battle to Constantius II and Magnentius' reduced situation, the reverse still grandly proclaims "the Victory of our Emperor brings Liberty to the Roman World."
Estimate: 6000-8000 USD