Magnentius

350 - 353

Magnentius was one of the generals under the command of Constans. Early in the year 350 he gathered that the tide of wars was turning against the dominion of the Constantines and declared himself emperor. On hearing of the news Constans was dispossessed and took flight. He found temporary shelter in a temple he hoped would be his sanctuary. Magnentius sent a few of his men for him, tracked him down then breached the temple and murdered him. The rule of the whole western empire was now under his control. Constantius II was thousands of miles away embroiled in a difficult war with the Parthians in Syria and it took several months to hear of what happened out west. He had the difficult choice of following through with this war or take care of the dangerous usurpation of Magnentius. He decided to sign a hasty peace treaty with the Parthians which ceded vast sections of territory and zoomed westwards to deal with Magnentius. For his part, Magnentius tried in vain to seek a diplomatic solution to the problem with Constantius as he wanted to avoid an open armed conflict with his army at all costs. This not only did not pan out but he also had to deal with a revolt launched by a relative of Constantius within Rome itself. This strained Magnentius's resources while the main arm of Constantius's army inexorably approached. The revolt was eventually crushed but his forces were weakened. In the end he was unable to avoid the inevitable and faced several losing battles against Constantius. As he retreated farther into his heartland he realized it was a lost cause and committed suicide.

AU Medallion

RIC 122 (Aquileia), Gnecchi 1 Three Solidi Medallion Obv: IMPCAESMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: LIBERATORREIPVBLICAE Exe: SMAQ - Magnentius riding horse right, facing bowing Aquileia, holding scroll and cornucopia. c.351 (Aquileia). $33,949 12/5/02.

AU Solidus

RIC 119 (VIII, Lyons), Depeyrot 1/2 Solidus Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTAVGLIBROMORB Exe: NLVG - Victory standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy. Jan-Aug 353 (Lugdunum).

RIC 134 (VIII, Lyons) Solidus Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGLIBROMANOR Exe: NLVG - Victory standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy. 350-352 (Lugdunum).

RIC 247 (Trier), Depeyrot 8/1, Bastien 7, C 46 Solidus Obv: IMCAEMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGLIBROMANOR Exe: TR - Victory standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy. 350 (Treveri). $3,200 1/13/03.

RIC 276 (Trier), Bastien 46, C 48 Solidus Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGLIBROMANOR Exe: TR - Victory s standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy. 351 (Treveri).

Unlisted RIC, C 48 Solidus Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGLIBROMANOR Exe: TR - Victory standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy. 351 (Treveri). $2,309 12/5/02.

AR Miliarense

RIC 257 (Trier), Bastien 19, C 75 Miliarense Obv: IMCAEMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVSAVGNOSTRI Exe: TR - Magnentius standing left, holding globe and scepter; kneeling captive to left. 350 (Treveri). $3,500 1/13/03.

AR Siliqua

RIC 146 (Aquileia), C 3 Siliqua Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FELICITASPERPETVA Exe: AQ• - Victory advancing left, holding wreath and trophy. c.351-352 (Aquileia).

RIC 256 (Trier), C 82 Siliqua Obv: IMCAEMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVSEXERCITI Exe: TR - Virtus standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield. January 350 - March 351 (Treveri).

RIC 258 (Trier), C 82 Siliqua Obv: IMCAEMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVSEXERCITI Exe: TR - Virtus standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield. $1,502 5/27/02.

AE1

RIC 34 (Amiens), LRBC 19 AE1 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: A/W/AMB - Chi-Rho. $1,600 1/16/02.

RIC 36 (Amiens), LRBC 20 AE1 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: A/W/AMB• - Chi-Rho. $451 Jan-Aug 353 (Ambianum).

RIC 154 (Lyons), LRBC 238 AE1 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: A/W/LPLG - Chi-Rho; A and W across fields.

RIC 318 (VIII, Trier) AE1 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: A/W/TRS - Chi-Rho. Jan 350 - Aug 353 (Treveri).

RIC 320 (Trier), Bastien 90, LRBC 62 AE1 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: TRS - Chi-Rho; A and W across fields. March 351 - August 353 (Treveri).

AE2

RIC 5 (Amiens), Bastien 105 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAE Exe: AMB - Two Victories standing facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X on column. 350 (Ambianum).

RIC 14 (VIII, Amiens), LRBC 10 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAE Exe: AMB

- Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X.

RIC 112 (VIII, Lyons) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FELICITASREIPVBLICE Exe: RPLG - Magnentius standing left, holding Victory on globe and labarum. Feb - May 350 (Lugdunum).

RIC 115 (Lyons), LRBC 214 AE3 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust.
Rev: GLORIAROMANORVM Exe: RSLG - Magnentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield and broken spear under horse.

RIC 123 (Lyons), Bastien 169 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Draped and cuirassed bust right, A to left.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe:

over SV/RPLG - Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. (Lugdunum).

RIC 130 (VIII, Lyons), LRBC 223 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAE Exe: • over SV/RPLG - Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. January 350 - August 353 (Lugdunum).

RIC 137 (VIII, Arles), LRBC 416 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Diademed (laurels and rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FELICITASREIPVBLICE Exe: SAR - Magnentius standing left, holding Victory on globe and scepter.

RIC 148 (VIII, Aquileia) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: GLORIAROMANORVM Exe: A/AQT• - Magnentius standing left, stepping on captive, holding Victory on globe and labarum; captive kneeling to right. Feb - May 350 (Aquileia).

RIC 150 (VIII, Arles), LRBC 421, Bastien 240 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust.
Rev: GLORIAROMANORVM Exe:

/SAR - Magnentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield and broken spear under horse. 351-353 (Arelate).

RIC 160 (Aquileia), LRBC 906 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind bust.
Rev: GLORIAROMANORVM Exe: B/

AQT

- Magnentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield under horse.

RIC 167 (VIII, Arles), LRBC 433 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: FPAR - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVL/X.

RIC 173 (VIII, Aquileia) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: • over

/AQP - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X.

RIC 173 (VIII, Arles) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: F/PAR - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVL/X. Jan 350 - Aug 352 (Arelate).

RIC 179 (VIII, Arles) AE3 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: E over IS/PAR - Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVL/X. (Arelate).

RIC 179 (VIII, Rome), LRBC 635 AE2 Obv: IMPCAEMAGNENTIVSAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGLIBROMANOR Exe: A/•R•F•P - Magnentius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and branch. 350 (Rome).

RIC 184 (VIII, Arles), LRBC 441 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind head.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAE Exe: I/PAR - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVL/X with Chi-Rho above. $22 1/30/04.

RIC 197 (VIII, Rome) AE3 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust.
Rev: GLORIAROMANORVM Exe:

/RS - Magnentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield and broken spear under horse. 350-352 (Rome).

RIC 198 (VIII, Arles) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: A/W/SPAR - Chi-Rho; A and W across fields. 350 (Arelate).

RIC 216 (VIII, Rome), LRBC 652 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; B behind head.
Rev: VICTDDNNAVGETCAES Exe:

/RP - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. March 351 - September 352 (Rome).

RIC 216 (VIII, Rome), LRBC 652 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; B behind head.
Rev: VICTDDNNAVGETCAES Exe:

/RT - Two Victories standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. March 351 - September 352 (Rome).

RIC 312 (Trier) AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; A behind bust.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAE Exe: TRP - Two Victories standing facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. 350-353 (Treveri).

RIC 312 (Trier), LRBC 60 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: TRS - Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X.

RIC 323 (VIII, Trier), LRBC 60 AE2 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: SALVSDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: TRS• - Chi-Rho; a and w on either side. 351-353 (Treveri).

Unlisted AE3 Obv: DNMAGNENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; "A" behind bust.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDNNAVGETCAES Exe: SP/PAR - Two Victories standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT/V/MVLT/X. (Arelate).