Rare EF Condition with an excellent strike.
 
The Journey of a Coin: The Legacy of Magnentius
The year is 351 AD, and the Western Roman Empire is in turmoil. The once-mighty empire, carved by Constantine the Great, now trembles under the weight of civil strife. In the bustling city of Rome, artisans in the imperial mint strike a fresh bronze coin, bearing the image of a new ruler—Magnentius, a man of ambition, strength, and tragedy.
 
The Rise of a Usurper
 
Magnentius, a soldier of Frankish descent, rose from humble origins to the heights of power. Trained in the Roman military, he was a man of discipline, a leader forged in the fires of battle. But the empire, fragmented and divided, was ruled by the sons of Constantine, each vying for dominance. When Constans, the ruler of the Western Empire, lost the loyalty of his legions, Magnentius seized the moment.
 
In 350 AD, in the grand halls of Augustodunum (modern-day Autun, France), Magnentius was declared Augustus by his troops. A seasoned commander, he promised stability, strength, and security to the Western provinces. The coin now in your hands was born from this ambition—a testament to his claim over the empire.
 
The Coin’s Journey
 
From the forge of the Rome Mint, this AE3 coin, its weight a modest 4.77 grams, glinted under the light of oil lamps as it passed into the hands of a centurion stationed in the Eternal City. The soldier, loyal to Magnentius, carried it as he marched north, bound for the Danube frontier, where barbarian incursions threatened the empire’s borders.
 
For a time, the coin rested in the purse of a trader who dealt in silks and spices, traveling along the ancient roads that led to Lugdunum (modern Lyon). Here, in the bustling marketplace, whispers of war spread—the true emperor, Constantius II, was preparing to march against Magnentius. The trader, sensing uncertainty, exchanged the coin in a hurried deal for grain before sailing down the Rhône River.
 
The Fall of Magnentius
 
The year 353 AD arrived, and with it, the end of Magnentius’ rule.
Constantius II, son of Constantine the Great, refused to acknowledge the usurper. The clash of legions echoed across the empire, culminating in the Battle of Mons Seleucus. Magnentius, outnumbered and defeated, fled to Lugdunum, where he took his own life rather than fall into enemy hands.
 
With his death, Constantius II ordered the systematic erasure of Magnentius’ legacy. His statues were toppled, his name struck from official records, and his coins—like the one you hold—were melted down, their metal repurposed for the empire’s continued reign.
 
A Coin’s Legacy
 
Yet, not all of Magnentius’ coins met this fate. Some, like this one, survived the purge. Perhaps it was buried in the chaos of battle, lost by a fleeing soldier. Maybe a merchant stashed it away in a forgotten hoard, or a child, unaware of its meaning, kept it as a plaything.
 
Centuries passed. Empires rose and fell. The roads of Rome crumbled into dust. And yet, this 22mm bronze piece, bearing the image of a man who dared to seize an empire, remained hidden—until now.
 
Today, it tells a story not only of power and ambition but of survival. It is a relic of a time when a soldier-turned-emperor defied the gods of fate if only for a moment, leaving behind a fleeting yet undeniable mark on history.