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This coin bears the obverse inscription D N FL VICTOR P F AVG, denoting its attribution to our lord, the pius and felicitous Augustus Flavius Victor (died 388 AD). When he launched his politicomilitary career, Flavius Victor’s father, Magnus Maximus, was considered a usurper, but he rose in power to earn ackowledgment as Western Roman Emperor over Britannia, Gaul, Spain and Africa. Maximus’ popularity grew to the point that in 387 AD he wrested control over Italy from its official Emperor, Valentinian II. At that time, Maximum declared his son co-Augustus, and spread the word on coinage issuing from mints under his control, including Aquileia, Italy, where this coin was struck. Owing to a brief reign (387-388 AD), Flavius Victor’s coinage is scarce, particularly in higher grades of preservation, such as this example.
Although the obverse pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust suggests that Flavius Victor was a young man, he may have been only an infant. Infant or not, Flavius Victor held promise as a future leader for Rome, indicated in the reverse inscription, SPES ROMANORVM, or the hope of the Romans. The coin’s reverse also depicts a camp gate with two turrets, with a prominent star above. Such camp gate turrets may have actually been signal beacons or braziers, providing a mechanism of line-of-sight communication between Roman camps. The camp gate and star motif was widely depicted on the coins of Constantine’s descendants. Interestingly, it is possible that Flavius Victor was the very last Constantinian dynast to hold the title of a Roman Emperor.
At the time this coin was struck (387-388 AD), Magnus Maximus had driven Valentinian II out of Italy. The deposed Augustus sought the help of his ally in Constantinople, Western Augustus Theodosius I. The turbulent situation among Rome’s leadership is reflected on ancient coinage. It is intriguing to note that while some of Maximus’ coinage acknowledges the presence of multiple Augusti (obverse inscriptions ending in AVGG or AVGGG), much of his later coinage and perhaps all issues struck in Flavius Victor’s name only denote one Augustus (obverse inscriptions ending in AVG). In any case, Eastern Augustus Theodosius I took strong exception to Maximus' additional land grab, and lent Constantinople’s aid to return Italy’s control back to Valentinian II. Reportedly, the defeated Maximus begged for mercy, but did not receive it. Soon therafter, Falvius Victor also met his demise. By at least one account, the young dynast was strangled by one of Theodosius' trusted generals.
Coin Details: WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE, Flavius Victor, AD 387-388, Æ (13mm, 1.11 g, 11h), Aquileia mint, 1st officina, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, D N FL VICTOR P F AVG, Reverse: Camp gate with two turrets, star above, SPES ROMANORVM, SMAQP in exegue, References: RIC IX 55b.1; LRBC 1104.h