Magnentius

Usurper against Constans 350
Augustus in the West 350-353

Flavius Magnus Magnentius was born to a Frankish mother and a British father ca. 303. By 350 he had risen to be one of Constan's foremost generals, and in January revolted against him in Gaul. This left Magnentius in control of the Roman West, including Britain, Spain, Gaul, Italy, and North Africa. He faced revolts himself, including a brief one under Nepotian in Rome.

Magnentius faced opposition from the eastern emperor Constantius II, whith whom he fought several battles including the infamous Battle of Mursa in 351, one of the bloodiest in Roman history. His empire steadily shrinking from the gains of Constantius, on August 11 of 353 Magnentius took his own life.

AE double Majorina
Obv:DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG - Bare headed draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev:SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES - Large Christogram flanked by Alpha and Omega.

Magnentus' own religious beliefs are not known, though he did recognize the older Roman religion. This coin was probably produced purely for propaganda interests, to gain the sympathy of the largely Catholic west against the Arrian Constantine II. An outstanding example of the use of coins as tools to broadcast a message to the populace. This type also marks the first example of a Christian symbol being used as the central device on a coin, and alludes to Revelation 22:13 - "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." The reverse legend dedicates the coin to the safety of the emperors.
VM.14, SR.4017
AE Centenionalis
Obv:IMP CLAVIVS PF AVG - Bare headed draped and cuirassed bust right. A at left.
Rev:VICTORIAE DD NN ET CAE - Two victories standing facing holding aloft a shield inscribed "VOT / V / MVLT / X".
VM.28

Decentius

Caesar in the West 351-353

Magnus Decentius was the younger brother of Magnentius, who appointed him Caesar in 351 and left him to rule the Rhine frontier against attacks by German tribes as well as possible internal revolts. Decentius took his life 18 August 353 after the defeats and suicide of his brother.

 AE Centenionalis minted in Rome
Obv:MAG DECENTIVS NOB CAES - Bare headed draped and cuirassed bust right. B at left.
Rev:VICT DD NN AV ET CAES - Two victories standing facing holding aloft a shield inscribed "VOT / V / MVLT / X". Star below shield.
Ex: R B
The reverse legend translates roughly as "The victories of our lords Augusti and Caesars" and promises 5 years with hopes of 10. This, of course, ended up being over optimistic.
VM.9

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The Coins of Magnentius & Decentius
last modified: 7 Mar 2006