Julius Nepos rose to power at the behest of Leo, the eastern emperor. The then current ruler, Glycerius, was but a palace court appointee and puppet of a conquering barbarian general. On the approach of Nepos' army, Glycerius abdicated and was allowed to retire without bloodshed. Nepos himself was to hold on to power for barely a year before he fled another approaching army of barbarians. Although without an army, subjects or any legislative power, Nepos would linger in near anonymity in Northern Italy until he was murdered in 480 by men from his own bodyguard, possibly in a plot involving former emperor Glycerius. From the time he fled Rome until his death he was, however, diplomatically recognized by the court of Zeno as the emperor of the West. Technically at least, he was thus the last emperor outlasting the brief rule of Romulus Augustus.
AU Solidus
RIC 3206, C 5 Solidus DNIVLNEPOSPFAVG - Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear over shoulder and shield. Rev: VICTORIAAVGGG: Exe: /COMOB - Victory standing left, holding cross, a dot next to her left foot. c.474-476.