Maximus of Spain, usurper, 409-411. Siliqua (Silver, 14 mm, 1.36 g, 11 h), Barcelona. D N MAXIM-VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximus to right. Rev. [VICT]ORI[A] AAVGGG / SMBA Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe in her right hand and inverted spear in her left. RIC 1601. Very rare, a key rarity in the late Roman series. Struck on a slightly short flan as usual and with some areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.


During the crisis of Constantine III's usurpation in Gaul and Britain, and his subsequent recoginition by Honorius, Constantine sent his general, Gerontius, to Spain. For some reason, the two men fell out and in 409, Gerontius himself rebelled and installed a puppet-emperor named Maximus, who may have been a relative of his. The details of Maximus' reign are very obscure, but Gerontius apparently managed to score some successes against Constantine III, before Honorius' general Constantius defeated both men. Maximus' fate is uncertain, though he may have lived long enough to undertake another failed usurpation some ten years later.