Gratian Or Magnus Maximus? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 15 / Views: 2,926
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 12:16 pm I posted this coin before thinking it was a Gratian (and the emperor that the seller sold it as). But as I look real hard at what remains of the obverse legend, I am starting to doubt it is Gratian and is actually Magnus Maximus. What is telling me this is the barely visible outline of the letter after what is left of the N in DN (the letter in question is right above the top string thing hanging from his pearl-diadem in the first photo; in the second and third photos it is above the right one). To me (and hopefully visible to you guys in these photos), the letter after N does not curve like a G, but the left part of the letter goes down vertical, like in the letter M. And under the right light and angle I believe I see what looks like a faint outline of an A after what may be M. Please look at the photos and tell me what you think. (The reverse was used by both Gratian and Maximus, and Lugdunum minted coins for both) Edited by VisigothKing 05/30/2012 1:35 pm Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 1:41 pm Not much to go by other than the bust doesn't look like Gratian. If it is Maximus it's an excellent find. Report this Post to the Staff
bobbyhelmet Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 2838 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 2:04 pm Certainly possible but very difficult to say for certain. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 2:47 pm Thanks guys for your comments. I realize its a long shot given the condition. Edited by VisigothKing 05/30/2012 2:48 pm Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 2:57 pm This may make things a little clearer: Report this Post to the Staff
Gil-galad Pillar of the Community United States 2044 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 3:54 pm I'm not sure what the coin is but if it's Magnus Maximus, then that's a great find. Not trying to be a nitpicker or anything and I'm certainly not the expert about it. There are a few called Maximus, so it could become confusing. For example, the ones I know. Maximus, 235-238 Magnus Maximus (383-388, usurper) Maximus (409-411, usurper) Petronius Maximus, 455 Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 5:19 pm The more I look at the bust and reference pictures of coins of Magnus Maximus the more I believe you are correct. While I can't say 100% I believe it is Magnus Maximus. Report this Post to the Staff
Bing Pillar of the Community United States 4253 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 5:26 pm Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 6:40 pm Just as a reference, here is my Mag Maximus: Looking at pictures of both Gratian and Mag Maximus carefully, it seems that Maximus has more of a bigger bust than Gratian, who has a slightly slender one in comparison on most of his coins. Edited by VisigothKing 05/30/2012 6:41 pm Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 6:45 pm That's a beauty, nice desert patina. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/30/2012 9:42 pm Thanks echizento. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/31/2012 12:10 pm Anyone have anymore ideas? Report this Post to the Staff
bobbyhelmet Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 2838 Posts	Posted 05/31/2012 1:15 pm Based on what I can see I think its more likely to be Maximus rather than Gratian. It certainly appears that the character after the 'DN' is straight rather than curved. I dont know if you could ever say so with 100% certainty though. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 05/31/2012 2:35 pm I think I feel pretty confident now that it is Maximus. Maybe not 100%, but darn close to that. Thanks for the help everyone. Guess I had another Magnus Maximus and didn't even know it! Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/31/2012 3:32 pm If you don't want the extra one, you can send it to me. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 06/01/2012 01:09 am Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 15 / Views: 2,926

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