Vetranio, 350. Siliqua (Silver, 20 mm, 3.00 g, 7 h), Siscia, 1st March-25th December 350. D N VETRA-NIO P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vetranio to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / SIS Victory advancing left, holding wreath in her right hand and trophy over her left shoulder. RIC 267. RSC 9b. Very rare. Lightly toned, perfectly centered and with an excellent portrait. A few very light marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Vetranio was the magister peditum of Illyricum when he assumed the purple in 350 at the request of Constantina, a daughter of Constantine the Great, to oppose Magnentius, who had deposed and killed Constans that same year. While some literary sources accuse him of mere opportunism, Vetranio's coinage suggests his loyalty to the house of Constantine and to the reigning emperor, Constantius II. By blocking Magnentius' access to Illyricum, Vetranio voluntarily stepped down when Constantius II marched westward to quell the rebellion. Despite Constantius II's reputation for extreme paranoia, Vetranio was allowed to retire peacefully in Prusa, Bithynia.