Late Roman Bronze Coins
Coin talk => Late Roman Bronze coins => Topic started by: Victor on July 08, 2012, 12:08:12 PM
In A.D. 350, the Emperor Constans was killed after his troops in Gaul deserted to the usurper Magnentius. The army of Illyricum refused to recognize Magnentius and sent word to Constantius II that they needed assistance. On the Ist of March A.D. 350, the sister of Constantius II, Constantina, proclaimed Vetranio the new Emperor. Technically, Vetranio was still a usurper since he was not appointed by the Emperor Constantius. Vetranio minted coins in his name and also the name of Constantius II, indicating he was still loyal to Constantius. On 25 December of the same year, Vetranio abdicated in favor of Constantius II and he was allowed to retire and live out the remaining years of his life in peace.
Vetranio
19 Jan - 25 Dec A.D. 350
17x20mm 2.4gm
DN VETRANIO PF AVG Laureate bust right.
VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM Emperor bare head and in military dress standing right, holding spear and globe and kicking a seated captive.
In exergue (?)SIS
RIC VIII Siscia 296
Vetranio
1 March- 25 Dec 350 A.D.
24mm 5.9gm
D N VETRANIO P F AVG, pearl diadem, draped & cuirassed bust right
CONCORDIA MILITVM Vetranio standing facing, holding labarum inscribed with Chi-Rho in each hand, star above, A-B across fields.
In ex. dot TSdelta dot.
RIC VIII Thessalonica 131
Minted under the authority of Vetranio
Constantius II
19 Jan- 25 Dec 350 A.D.
22mm 4.4gm
DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG, diademed, draped bust right, A
behind bust, star before
CONCORDIA MILITVM, emperor diademed and in military
dress, standing facing, head left, star above, holding
labarum in each hand inscribed with a Chi-Rho. A in left field
in ex. dot ASIS dot
RIC VIII Siscia 284
The reverse of this coin seems to allude to Constantine, probably in an effort to strengthen his rule and/or affirm loyalty to Constantius II.
Vetranio
A.D. 350
22mm 6.7gm
DN VETRANIO P F AVG, diademed bust right
HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS, [In this sign you will be the victor] emperor standing left with labarum inscribed with Chi-Rho, being crowned by Victory.
In ex. dot ESIS*
RIC VIII Siscia 283
Vetranio
A.D. 350
18mm 2.1gm
DN VETRANIO P F AVG- diademed bust right
VIRTVS EXERCITVM- Emperor in military dress stg. facing, head to left, holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner, and resting left on shield.
In exergue TESΓ
RIC VIII Thessalonica 138
This is a fairly rare type first minted under the authority of Vetranio, but also struck two other times (when Gallus and Julian II are Caesar) and all are indentical according to RIC.
Constantius II
circa A.D. 350
18x19mm 2.2gm
DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust.
GLORIA ROMANORVM, Emperor, bare-headed and in military dress, stg. facing, head l., holding standard with Chi-Rho on the banner, and spear.
In ex. ΓSIS
RIC VIII Siscia 293, 355, 386
Have you ever seen a large version of the VIRTVS EXERCITVM type? I have only ever seen the small ones like you have here yet it was also supposedly issued in a large denomination as well.
Shawn
Quote from: otlichnik on December 07, 2012, 10:14:28 AM
Have you ever seen a large version of the VIRTVS EXERCITVM type?
I can't recall having seen an example.
Here is an AE2 Vetranio with the Virtvs exercitum reverse, a rare variant with Vertanio instead of Vetranio.
Best, Mihail
Quote from: marandnumiz on December 23, 2012, 10:55:34 AM
Here is an AE2 Vetranio with the Virtvs exercitum reverse, a rare variant with Vertanio instead of Vetranio.
Very neat...thanks for posting this example.
another example
Vetranio
19 Jan - 25 Dec A.D. 350
18mm 2.5gm
DN VETRANIO PF AVG; Laureate bust right.
VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM; Vetranio bare headed and in military dress standing right, holding spear and globe and kicking a seated captive.
In exergue ΓSIS
RIC VIII Siscia 296