MAGNUS MAXIMUS
AD 383-388
AE4. 1.00g, 14mm
MINTED: Arelate (Arles) mint, circa AD 383-388
REF: RIC IX 29a
OBVERSE: D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: SPES ROMANORVM, Campgate with two turrets; star above; PCON in exergue.
 
Notes:
Warm brown patina.  Well-centered, with smooth even surfaces.  An excellent example of the scarcer campgate type for this interesting, short-lived ruler. 
 
Historical Notes:
Magnus Maximus (c. 335 – 28 August 388) was a Roman usurper who ruled as emperor in Britain, Gaul, and Spain from 383 to 388. Born in Gallaecia in Spain, he rose through the ranks of the Roman army to become commander of the British forces. In 383, he led a rebellion against the Western Roman emperor Gratian, and was proclaimed emperor in Britain.  A skilled strategist, he was able to quickly gain control of a large portion of the Western Roman Empire, and in 384, political negotiations led to his being recognized as Augustus in the West by the emperors Theodoius I and Valentinian II.  
 
In 387, he invaded Italy and forced Valentinian II to flee and take refuge in Theodosius I's court at Constantinople. He was ultimately defeated by Theodoius and surrendered at Aquileia.  Despite his pleas for mercy, he was executed alongside his young son Flavius Victor. 
 
Though his reign being relatively brief, his usurpation of power and his invasion of Italy contributed to the further weakening of the Western Western Roman Empire, making it more vulnerable to attack from barbarian tribes.  His reign also marked the final withdrawal of Roman military forces from Britain.