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The Roman Empire

Magnetius, 350 – 353

d=37 mm
Medallion of 3 solidi, Aquileia 351, 13.70 g. D N MAG MAGNE – NTIVS P F AVG Bare-headed bust r., wearing imperial mantle. Rev. LIBERATOR·REI·PVBLICAE Magnentius, nimbate and in military attire, on horse r., offering his r. hand to turreted and draped figure of Aquileia, holding cornucopia in l. hand and scroll in r. RIC 127 (this coin with wrong weight). C 26 var. (different bust). Gnecchi 1 var. (different bust). P. Bastien, Le Monnayage de Magnence, NR I, 1964, 339a and pl. SV, 339a (this coin with wrong weight). Kent-Hirmer pl. 168, 669 (this reverse die). A. Jelocnik, Les Multiples d’or de Magnence decouverts a Emona, RN 1967, 4 and pl. XXXVI, 3 (this coin with wrong weight). Paolucci-Zub 534 (this coin). Biaggi 2204 (this coin). Sagramora 478 (this coin with wrong weight). Bastien Donativa p. 87, 6 note.

An apparently unique variety of a very rare type. An impressive medallion with a fabulous

portrait and an appealing reverse composition. Almost invisible marks,

otherwise good extremely fine
Gold and silver medallions of the Late Roman Empire, such as this three-solidus issue of Magnentius, are best described as money-medallions. Unlike the large bronze medallions of earlier times, where intrinsic value was not as critical as the artistic merit or the occasion of distribution, medallions from the age of the Tetrarchs onward were increasingly valued for their precious metal content.

We find this trend gaining momentum in the reign of Gallienus, and the explanation is obvious: the wages of soldiers had become inconsequential due to the crippling effects of inflation and the poor quality of the coinage in which they were paid. Thus, the donative, often in the form of gold coins and medallions, largely replaced wages.

This medallion was distributed late in 350 or at the start of 351 to reward Magnentius’ loyal partisans in Italy. The year 350 had been dramatic: not only had Magnentius’ revolt been sparked with the murder of the legitimate emperor Constans, but during the course of the year Spain, Britain, North Africa and Italy all had defected to Magnentius. However the rebel’s eastward expansion was halted in the spring by the defensive maneuvers of the Master of the Infantry Vetranio, who remained loyal to Constantius II, the legitimate emperor in the East. To add to the drama, Magnentius’ grip on Italy was tested in the summer by the brief counter-revolution of Nepotian, a Constantinian nobleman.

By the fall of 350, when this medallion may have been produced, Constantius II himself had arrived in the Balkans to confront Magnentius. Since the magnificent obverse die of our piece shows Magnentius wearing consular robes, we may identify its occasion as his assumption of his first and only consulate, presumably on January 1, 351.

Due to the military crisis unfolding, though, these medallions may have been issued prior to the ceremony so as to counter any bribes that Constantius II was offering to win back the loyalty of the armies in Italy. Another possibility is that this consular medallion was distributed early in 351, and that the more numerous medallions in this series without the consular bust were issued the second half of 350.

This series of medallions has two principal issues. The first is a two-solidus medallion with a reverse inscribed VIRTVS AVGVSTI NOSTRI (‘the manliness of our emperor’) that shows the emperor dragging a bound captive by his hair. The second, to which our piece belongs, is a three-solidus medallion with a reverse inscribed LIBERATOR REIPVBLICAE (‘liberator of the republic’) that shows the nimbate emperor riding on horseback toward a female who genuflects before him. She may represent Aquileia, but more likely is Respublica, a female personification of the empire.

This scene is one of action that speaks to a saviour-mythology then being cultured by Magnentius (indeed, on some of his billon coins he claims to have "twice liberated" Rome – first from Constans, then from the uprising of Nepotian). Such an appeal was not uncommon in the western provinces, for the needs of this region had been routinely ignored by emperors from the late 3rd Century onward.

NAC34, 95

I just got my 52 mm to 58 mm reversing ring (Good old Ebay) and WOW!!!!

This is my first real trial with it, and it is not bad for hand held. Seriously, I could not be bothered digging the tripod out of the garage, but I will do for the next time.

I have a canon 75-300 f4-5.6 at 300 mm f11 attached to the camera. Using the male-to-male reversing ring, I have attached the canon 50 mm f1.8, front element to front element. Focusing distance from the back of the 50 mm lens was probably less than 10 mm.

Lighting was from a SAD lamp touching the end of the lens.

The object you are looking at is a two pound coin (UK), specifically the “o” of pound. I measured it using an un-calibrated vernier calliper and my poor eyesight to be 1.4 mm across. Doing some rough measurments and calculations puts this at 1:7+ish. I will do some more tests to figure it out a bit better than that later on.

I have done a little contrast and exposure modification, and a slight sharpening, but there is no crop.

The “o” and the dots are actually raised, but I see them as indented. Does anyone else see this optical illusion?

Right, what else can I look at through this?