By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stacks Bowers ……
For this week’s previews for the ancient coin section of the August ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction, we present a piece with great historical significance, the Gold Solidus of Magnus Maximus
This coin from the late Roman Empire marks the beginning of the end of Roman sovereignty over the British Isles. Magnus Maximus, the Roman general assigned to Britain, decided in 383 CE to claim imperial power for his own. He gathered his army and crossed the English Channel to Gaul.
As he exited Britannia with most of his troops and support, he left key local rulers in place. This moment is seen as the beginning of the Welsh national identity.
The coin features a diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of this important emperor, Magnus Maximus, facing right with the legend: “DN MAG MAXIMVS PF AVG” around. The reverse design depicts two emperors seated, Magnus and his son Flavius Victor (who was declared co-emperor just months earlier) with Victory flying behind them. This extraordinary example has incredible strike detail, gorgeous luster, and is exceptionally well centered. It is a choice example with marvelous eye appeal.
While Stacks Bowers is no longer accepting consignments for our August 2017 ANA Auction, they are taking consignments of world and ancient coins as well as world paper money for the October 2017 Collectors Choice Online Auction and the January 2018 New York International (NYINC) Auction.
Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment directors at 800-458-4646 or [email protected].
