Magnus Maximus, 383-388. Solidus (Gold, 20 mm, 4.46 g, 6 h), Treveri, 383-384. D N MAG MA-XIMVS P F AVG Laurel-and-rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Magnus Maximus to right. Rev. RESTITVTOR REI PVBLICAE / SMTR Maximus standing front in military attire, head to right, holding labarum with staurogram in his right hand and Victory on globe in his left; in field to left, star. Depeyrot 50/1 corr. (position of star). RIC 76.2. Rare. Lightly toned and very well centered, an attractive example of this historically important issue. Light marks and with minor die breaks on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Magnus Maximus was a general of Spanish descent who built his career under the renowned general Flavius Theodosius, the father of Theodosius I. In 383, Maximus was appointed commander of the Roman army in Britain, a province that had increasingly been neglected by the emperors and had suffered from a series of Pictish, Scottish, and Irish invasions. After defeating the Picts and Scotti early in 383, Maximus’ troops proclaimed him Augustus, and he marched against Gratian. The two armies met near Paris, but Gratian’s soldiers deserted to the enemy, and the emperor was killed near Lugdunum on 25 August.

Following this, Maximus ruled Britain and Gaul from his capital, Treveri, and was recognized by the young Valentinian II in Mediolanum and by Theodosius I as the third Augustus. However, when Maximus invaded Italy in 387, Valentinian II fled to Theodosius I, who then marched against the usurper and defeated him twice in 388. Maximus was captured in Aquileia and executed, while Theodosius I, having married Valentinian’s sister, reinstated his brother-in-law as western Augustus.