MAGNENTIUS, Usurper
AD 350-353
AE2. 4.05g, 20.7mm
MINTED: Trier mint, early AD 351 – summer 352
REF: RIC VIII Trier 312
OBVERSE: D N MAGNENTIVS P F AVG, bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, A behind head.
REVERSE: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES, two Victories facing one another, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT-V-MVLT-X; TRS in exergue.

Notes:
Dark brown patina; struck on a slightly compact and irregular flan.  Light surface roughness, but bold, sharp details.   
 
Historical Notes:
Magnentius was an Anglo-Frankish soldier who served in the army of Constantine the Great.  Under the rule of Constans, he became commander of the elite Imperial Guard units, the Joviani and the Herculiani.  Observing the growing disatisfaction of the armies with the misrule and tyranny of  Constans, Magnentius declared himself Augustus in 350 at Augustodunum during the birthday party of Constan's Minister of Finance.  The legions unambiguously declared their support for Magnentius, and Constans was caught and killed while trying to flee to Hispania.  

Constantius II, the last surviving son of Constantine the Great, quickly turned his attention towards the usurper, reclaiming first the Danubian territories, and then Italy.  After an embattled three years, Magnentius made a final stand in Gaul at the Battle of Mons Seleucus in 353, where his army was utterly defeated. Magnentius proceeded to commit suicide by falling on his sword.