Nepotian, usurper, 351. Maiorina (Bronze, 25 mm, 4.36 g, 6 h), Rome. FL POP NEPOT-IANVS P F AVG Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Nepotian to right. Rev. VRBS ROMA / RS Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe in her right hand and inverted spear in her left; at her side, shield. Cohen 3. LRBC 645. RIC 202. Very rare. Somewhat rough and with light deposits, otherwise, good fine.


In the wake of Magnentius' usurpation of the western empire in 350, Nepotian, a nephew of Constantine the Great, marched on Rome with nothing more than a band of gladiators (Eutropius 10.11) and made himself master of the city. Though Nepotian's rebellion is usually placed in 350, some evidence rather points to 351 as the date of his coup (see S. Caza: Redating Nepotian's Usurpation and the Coinage of Magnentius, in: KOINON I (2018), pp. 64-80). Whatever the case may be, Magnentius quickly retaliated, and after a reign of merely 28 days, Nepotian was ignominiously deposed, and his severed head was paraded through the city.