Magnentius, Solidus, 350–351, Arles, Very rare, Gold, SUP+, RIC 132

  

Bust of Magnentius, bare-headed, draped, armored, facing right; Victory, winged and draped, standing right, holding a palm branch on her left shoulder; and Libertas, draped, standing left, holding a transverse scepter in her left hand; between them, a plain staff supporting a trophy. Splendid example of a solidus of Magnentius, emperor whose reign was very short (350–353).

This coin, struck at Arles in southern France, depicts the personifications of Victory and Liberty, thus emphasizing the emperor’s position as liberator of the Roman people, a message also highlighted by the legend. The association of Magnentius’ portrait with the obverse legend is otherwise exceedingly rare for the coinage of this period: beginning with “IM” and the emperor’s name here, it differs completely from the other legends, which almost systematically begin with “D N” followed by the emperor’s name during this period.

It recalls Roman coins of earlier periods, which began exclusively with “IMP,” to be translated as “Imperator.” This is therefore a highly exceptional case, for an extremely well-preserved specimen, on which a few traces of mint luster can still be seen around the reliefs. Several die cracks are visible in the letters of the legends, in the fields on both the obverse and reverse, and on the portrait, showing that this coin was struck with very worn dies.

IM CAE MAGN-ENTIVS AVG, VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR // PAR.