Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[O-Towner]

Today on the list:

Flavius Victor: Ae, Lugdunum mint (14.2mm, 1.2gms) 

Obv: D N F L VICTOR P F AVG; Diademed and cuirassed bust right

Rev: SPES ROMANORVM; Campgate with two turrets, star above; LVGP in exergue

Ref: RIC 36b

Eugenius: Ae, Lugdunum mint (11.9mm, 0.9gms) 

Obv: D N EVGENIVS P F AVG; Bearded, diademed and cuirassed bust right

Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG; Victory walking left holding wreath and palm branch; LVGx in exergue

Ref: RIC 47

Edited May 14, 2023 by O-Towner

[Severus Alexander]

1 hour ago, O-Towner said:

Today on the list:

Flavius Victor: Ae, Lugdunum mint (14.2mm, 1.2gms) 

Obv: D N F L VICTOR P F AVG; Diademed and cuirassed bust right

Rev: SPES ROMANORVM; Campgate with two turrets, star above; LVGP in exergue

Ref: RIC 36b

Eugenius: Ae, Lugdunum mint (11.9mm, 0.9gms) 

Obv: D N EVGENIVS P F AVG; Bearded, diademed and cuirassed bust right

Rev: VICTORIA AVGGG; Victory walking left holding wreath and palm branch; LVGx in exergue

Ref: RIC 47

Bad Cop says:  Not ‘til 3pm Eastern time, @O-Towner!! 😠😝

[mc9]

 

Magnus Maximus and Flavius Victor : 1 favorite coin each 

D N MAG - MA -XIMVS P F AVG : diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
SPES RO - MA - NORVM // SMTR : campgate, with two turrets, no doors and 4 layers ; above : star
AE4,Trier, A.D. 383-388, RIC IX 87a var: not in RIC for break RO – MA – NORUM ( Trier )

D N I FL VIC – TOR P F AVG : Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
SPES ROMANORVM  // PCON : Camp gate with two turrets, no doors and 4 layers ; above : star
AE4, Arles, A.D.387-388, RIC IX 29b1 var : ( not in RIC for D N I FL… )

 

Edited May 14, 2023 by mc9

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Magnus Maximus ruled from 383-388 in the Western Empire. Initially, as commander of Britain he led a revolt against Gratian. Through negotiation with Theodosius I and the intercession of the bishop Ambrose he assumed control of Britain, Gaul, Hispania, and Africa as an emperor in the West. In 387 he invaded Italy but in 388 he was defeated by Theodosius at the Battle of the Save and was eventually executed. Meanwhile, Arbogast, one of Theodosius' generals executed Maximus' son Flavius Victor by strangulation. Maximus' capital was Trier, from which he ruled over the west for a few years. He has a fairly interesting coinage, with coins struck in all three metals. This example is an AE2 of Arles.

Magnus Maximus, 383 - 388 A.D.

AE 2, 24mm 5.7 grams

Obverse: DN MAG MAXIMVS PF AVG Diademed head right, draped and cuirassed

Reverse: REPARATIO REIPVB Maximus standing left, crowned by Victory, raising kneeled, turreted figure of a woman

Mintmark: TCON (Arles) 

Ex-Frank Robinson auction 2021

 

Edited May 14, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Here's one of the better results of my inept coin photography.  Purchased c. April 1994.

Magnus Maximus siliqua.  TRPS

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I'm missing Eugenius from the collection.  However, I'm told that my Trier Arcadius siliqua might have been minted by the Eugenius regime.  I'll wait for Arcadius' day, though.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

6 minutes ago, mc9 said:

 

Magnus Maximus and Flavius Victor : 1 favorite coin each 

D N MAG - MA -XIMVS P F AVG : diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
SPES RO - MA - NORVM // SMTR : campgate, with two turrets, no doors and 4 layers ; above : star
AE4,Trier, A.D. 383-388, RIC IX 87a var: not in RIC for break RO – MA – NORUM ( Trier )

D N I FL VIC – TOR P F AVG : Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
SPES ROMANORVM  // PCON : Camp gate with two turrets, no doors and 4 layers ; above : star
AE4, Arles, A.D.387-388, RIC IX 29b1 var : ( not in RIC for D N I FL… )

 

You beat me by a millisecond mc9. Auction trigger finger is functioning well!

[DonnaML]

I have one Magnus Maximus. Only two more after him, and then I'll be all out of emperors after five months of this thread!

Magnus Maximus [Emperor in West AD 383-388 by usurpation from Gratian], AR reduced Siliqua*, AD 383-388, Trier Mint. Obv. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, DN MAG MAX-IMVS PF AVG [AV ligatured] / Rev. Helmeted Roma seated facing on throne, head left, holding globe in right hand and reversed spear in left hand, VIRTVS RO-MANORVM; in exergue, TR PS [TR = Trier Mint; PS = Pvsvlatvm (struck from refined, purified silver; see Sear RCV V, Introduction p. 7)]. 1.90 g., 16.32 x 16.08 mm., 12 h. RIC IX 84(b)(1) (p. 29), RSC V 20b (ill. p. 176), Sear RCV V 20644 (p. 422); Ghey 56f (this coin) [Ghey, E., “Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire,” unpublished catalogue held by British Museum]. Purchased 17 May 2022 from Noonans (f/k/a Dix Noonan Webb) Auction, “The Vale of Pewsey Hoard of Late Roman Silver Coins,” Lot 82; ex Vale of Pewsey Hoard, discovered in Wiltshire 12-13 Sep. 2020, Portable Antiquities Scheme Hoard ID BM-7D34D9 (see https://finds.org.uk/database/hoards/record/id/3305 ).** [Footnotes omitted; see my bearded Julian II siliqua above in this thread for a fn re Vale of Pewsey Hoard.]

[DonnaML]

A question for those of you admired my Aelia Flaccilla coin, including @Qcumbor, @Ancient Coin Hunter, @CPK : it's not mentioned in any of the catalog or dealer descriptions, and I hadn't noticed it before, but on the obverse, is that her right hand quite literally clutching her pearls, or am I imagining things? I could swear I see some fingers and a thumb there.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Good question. I can see what you see but I also think, looking at the draped cloak, that it goes around her neck, draping down on both the right-and left-hand sides. So the "hand" is probably a fold in the cloak where it is bunched together. 

[DonnaML]

24 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Good question. I can see what you see but I also think, looking at the draped cloak, that it goes around her neck, draping down on both the right-and left-hand sides. So the "hand" is probably a fold in the cloak where it is bunched together. 

Thanks. I was afraid it might turn out to be just an example of pareidolia!

[CPK]

Interesting observation @DonnaML. I'm inclined to agree with @Ancient Coin Hunter, that it's the folds of the drapery, but if she's not actually clutching the pearls it looks like she is at least fingering them slightly.

[DonnaML]

29 minutes ago, CPK said:

Interesting observation @DonnaML. I'm inclined to agree with @Ancient Coin Hunter, that it's the folds of the drapery, but if she's not actually clutching the pearls it looks like she is at least fingering them slightly.

But I don't think @Ancient Coin Hunter believes that there's even a hand or forearm there at all.

[CPK]

5 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

But I don't think @Ancient Coin Hunter believes that there's even a hand or forearm there at all.

Ah I see. Yes, I think he is right. A quick search for "aelia flaccilla alexandria" on asearch brings up 24 results (including yours) and it does appear to be drapery, not a hand or arm. Here's an example:

(https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9023648)

[DonnaML]

5 minutes ago, CPK said:

Ah I see. Yes, I think he is right. A quick search for "aelia flaccilla alexandria" on asearch brings up 24 results (including yours) and it does appear to be drapery, not a hand or arm. Here's an example:

(https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9023648)

That seems pretty definitive. Too bad, though -- it would be pretty cool if that were really her hand fingering her necklace!

[Qcumbor]

Sorry if I seem low brow where @DonnaML is so poetical, but could it not be just a die break of some sort ?

Q

Edited May 15, 2023 by Qcumbor

[Qcumbor]

Now, back to the subject. Here's my Magnus Maximus siliqua with a spelling error on reverse 

Q

 

[wittwolff]

Magnus Maximus, his name alone probably made Gratians soldiers switch their allegiance in fear of him.

[Pellinore]

Magnus Maximus for me is a legendary figure from the dark and obscure days of British history. I read and reread the book Porius by John Cowper Powys, that illustrates the end of the 5th century in the Welsh and British lands - the emperor Magnus Maximus is a star in heaven for those late Brythonics living just before the onset of the Saxons - on the verge of the Middle Ages, a lively and fascinating book.

This first coin is martial enough, a pity he didn't stay in his natural realm to start a really great Brythonic kingdom that everybody would know of. 

2842. AE Magnus Maximus (383-388). AE Lugdunum. Obv.: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG. Rev.: Magnus Maximus standing left, holding crowning Victory on globus and extending hand to Fortuna kneeling right. REPARATIO REIPVB / LVGS. 23 mm, 5.02 gr. RIC 32. Numismatik Naumann Auktion 55 Nr. 694, July 2017, € 73

2810. AR siliqua Magnus Maximus. Obv. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust t.r. Rev. Enthroned Roma holding globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand. VIRTVS ROMANORVM. 18.5 mm, 2.06 gr. RIC ix, p. 29, 84b-c. MPO Heritage, nr. 2862, June 2021, € 130
 

[John Conduitt]

I haven't had many opportunities to smash this out of the park, but I have a good chance this time. Helped by @wittwolff using a cut-out of Magnus Maximus that is literally my coin 😁

Flavius Victor Clipped Siliqua, 387-388
Milan. Silver, 10mm, 0.68g (cut down from 16-17mm, 1.25-1.8g). Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; D N FL VIC-(TOR P F AVG). Roma seated left, holding globe in right hand, reversed spear in left, (VIRTVS RO-M)ANORVM; mintmark MDPS (RIC IX, 19b). From the South Ferriby (Lincolnshire) Hoard 1909. Portable Antiquities Scheme IARCH-1C7D3F.

Eugenius Siliqua, 392-394
Trier. Silver, 1.72g. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; D N EVGENI-VS P F AVG. Roma seated left on cuirass, holding reversed spear and Victoriola on globe; VIRTVS RO-MANORVM; TR PS in exergue (RIC IX, 106(d); Ghey 78, this coin). From the Vale of Pewsey (Wiltshire) Hoard 2020, Portable Antiquities Scheme: BM-7D34D9. (This coin is in the fourth row, fourth from the end of the main photo).
 

5 hours ago, wittwolff said:

Magnus Maximus Solidus, 383-388

Augusta/London. Gold, 21mm, 4.59g, 6h. Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnus Maximus right, seen from front; D N MAG MA-XIMVS P F AVG. Magnus Maximus and Theodosius I seated facing on double throne, jointly holding globe between them; half-length figure of Victory above facing between, vertical palm branch under throne; VICTOR-IA AVGG; AVGOB in exergue (RIC IX, 2b; Biaggi 2312 (this coin)). Ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys. NGC #6057866-002. A double die match for this coin in the British Museum.

[Severus Alexander]

Well, Magnus Maximus himself may not have deserved the name, but @John Conduitt's solidus surely does!! 🤯

Neither of my two Mag Max portraits are anything to write home about, although the first one is a special coin because it was issued in Constantinople under the authority of Theodosius, proving that he briefly recognized the pretender:

Here's my AE4... I'm not sure which portrait is the better of the two:

 

My tiny AE4 portrait of Flavius Victor, on the other hand, would definitely support at least a brief letter home:

Finally, this Eugenius siliqua probably sports the better portrait of my two of him:

Although my AE4 (Rome, as determined by a die match) is pretty decent too, portraitwise at least:

[wittwolff]

@John Conduitt

Oh wow I must admit I didnt think any of the coins I used for these cut outs would appear here. I normally add a bust of the Emperor to my coincards but if there is no existing bust I cut out the most lifelike/ good looking bust I can see looking normally on wildwinds.com .

Yours is truly a beatiful coin and if it troubles you I will remove the bust from my coincard.

[John Conduitt]

3 hours ago, wittwolff said:

@John Conduitt

Oh wow I must admit I didnt think any of the coins I used for these cut outs would appear here. I normally add a bust of the Emperor to my coincards but if there is no existing bust I cut out the most lifelike/ good looking bust I can see looking normally on wildwinds.com .

Yours is truly a beatiful coin and if it troubles you I will remove the bust from my coincard.

No problem at all, it was just funny seeing it when I was about to post it 😆

[mc9]

Time for Arcadius :

Silver:DN ARCADIUSPFAVG : Diademed and draped bust right
SALUS REI – PUBLICAE : Victory with trophy shouldered, head left, dragging captive
AE4, Cyzicus, A.D. 388-392, RIC IX 26c

D N ARCADIVS P F AVG : pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
VOT V: in two lines within laurel wreath ,in exerge : // SMHA
AE4, Heraclea, A.D.379 – 383, RIC 18b1

D N ARCADI - VS P F AVG : Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield decorated with cross
CONCORDI - A AVGG  / SMKA : Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, with foot on prow, holding sceptre and Victory on globe
AE3, Cyzicus, A.D. 401-403, RIC 94

D N ARCADIVS P F AVG : pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
VIRTVS EXERCITI // CONST : emperor standing right, holding labarum and globe, left foot on captive; Chi-Rho in left field
AE 2, Constantinople, A.D. 383-388, RIC 83c2

Edited May 23, 2023 by mc9

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Arcadius ruled the Eastern empire from 395-408 A.D., inheriting this role from his father Theodosius who was the last sole ruler of a united Roman Empire.

AE 21, 5.7 grams, 11h; Antioch mint

Obverse: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG; Rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM; Emperor standing facing, head right, holding standard and globe.

Exergue: ANT

Reference: RIC IX Antioch 68c, p. 294 

ex-JAZ Numismatics

One can imagine that his subjects, when beholding this coin, could indeed imagine Arcadius as the Glory of the Romans, at a time when the western empire was running into serious trouble...with the inept, but long-lasting Honorius on the throne.

Edited May 16, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter