Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 121 - Session 4 . 1006
Roman Imperial
Category
Nepotian. Usurper, AD 350. Æ Centenionalis (25mm, 5.18 g, 5h). Rome mint, uncertain officina. FL NEP CONST ANTINV[S A]VG, laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VRBS ROMA, Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe in right hand, spear in left; shield at side; R[...]. RIC VIII 203; LRBC 644. Green-brown patina, edge split. VF. Very rare. From the Conti Collection. Ex Cederlind 126 (19 November 2002), lot 176.Beginning in AD 350, the western portion of the Roman Empire underwent a period of rebellion and usurpation. Magnentius, a member of the Roman bureaucracy, taking advantage of the troubles of Constantius II with Persia, revolted and murdered Constans, the western emperor. Unable to go west and subdue Magnentius, Constantius II apparently allowed for two "legal" usurpations to occur: that of Nepotian in Rome, and Vetranio in Siscia. After only 28 days of rule, however, Nepotian was captured and executed by troops loyal to Magnentius. The failure of both Nepotian and Vetranio to stop Magnentius prompted Constantius II to appoint his cousin Gallus as Caesar. While Gallus held down the east, Constantius II could then head west to put down the rebellion of Magnentius and restore order.
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