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Lot 4225

Magnus Maximus, AD 383-388. Gold Solidus (4.59g) minted at Londonium-Augusta (London), AD 384. Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximus right. Reverse: Maximus and Theodosius enthroned facing, holding a globe between them; behind and between them, Victoria (Victory) facing with outspread wings; below throne, palm frond; AVGOB in exergue. RIC 2; Depeyrot 2/1; Cohen 9. Extremely rare. Extremely Fine.

First conquered by Claudius in 43 BC, Britain had been a province of the Roman Empire for three and a half centuries when the Spanish general Magnus Maximus was made governor in AD 380. An ambitious aristocrat with familial ties to the eastern Roman emperor Theodosius I, Maximus soon decided to make a bid for the throne of the western Roman Empire, then ruled by a bookish youth named Gratian. To secure the loyalty of the British Roman legions, Maximus reopened the old mint of London, which had been closed for more than 50 years, and began striking gold solidi acclaiming himself as Augustus, or emperor. By this time, London had been renamed Augusta, as reflected by the mint mark on the reverse of this piece (AVG OB, the "OB" standing for "obryzium," or "pure gold"). With his army thus paid off, Maximus crossed into Gaul and easily defeated Gratian. In retrospect, his move was ill-advised, as it deprived Britain of soldiers it needed badly to defend the frontiers from barbarian attack, as well as contributing to the instability which ultimately caused the collapse of the western Roman government. Within 20 years, Roman rule had come to an end in Britain.

The gold solidi of Magnus Maximus were thus the last coins struck in Roman Britain.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
Ex Goldberg Coins, Auction 53, May 26, 2009, lot 1933; L. Biaggi Collection, # 2312.


 
Realized $17,250



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