Roman Empire - Excessively Rare Maximus of Spain - Barcelona Siliqua > Lot No. 327

Description:
Barcelona. Usurper, AD 409-411. Obv: imitative of DN MAXIM-VS PF AVG (N is retrograde), pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VI(CTOR-A )AAVGGG, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and inverted spear. Mintmark SMBA. The Roma seated type with the VICTOR.. legend (the usual legend is VRBS ROMA or VIRTVS ROMANORVM) was used by several emperors (Arcadius, Constans, Constantine III, Eugenius, Flavius Victor, Glycerius, Gratian, Honorius, Johannes, Jovinus, Mag Max, Majorian, Priscus Attalus, Sebastian, Theodosius I and II, Valens, Valentinian I and II and some of the Visigoths - many of which are extremely rare usurpers), but Maximus is the only one who used the legend DN MAXIM... This is a good imitation of the only silver coin of the period known to have been made in Barcelona, with the SMBA mintmark. Barcelona (or Barcino as it was known) was used as a mint only for 2 years and only under Maximus. The mintmark SMBA was listed by Cohen but was doubted by many savants for over 100 years, until a bronze coin with the mintmark was found during excavations in Barcelona in 1958. The mintmark is rare and an imitation with the mintmark probably even rarer.

Measurements:
Silver, 3.03 grams, 15.48 mm.

Condition:
Part not struck up, otherwise good very fine in good quality silver; excessively rare.

References:
Imit. RIC X 1601; Sear -. See Wildwinds.com (this coin). The last known example of a coin with this mintmark sold for 8,000 US$ (CNG, Triton XIII, lot 426).

Comments notes:
Maximus was probably a relative of the general Gerontius who revolted against Constantine III in AD 409. He was allowed to retire into private life when his master committed suicide in AD 411. Maximus is potentially the same person as the Maximus Tyrannus who unsuccessfully attempted to seize power in Spain around AD 420. Maximus Tyrannus was captured and publicly executed as a traitor at the games celebrating Honorius' tricennalia at Ravenna in AD 422. Philip Grierson (DOCLR, p. 219) has stated there are only about twenty known coins of Maximus.

Estimate: £1,200 - 1,800 (EUR 1,490 - 2,230; USD 1,900 - 2,850)

Auction date: Thursday 9th September 2010 at The Swedenborg Hall 20-21 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH

Sold for: £500