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Obv.: DN IVL MAIORIANV P
Rev.: VITI CCC L
Mint: Lyon (?)
Measurements: 0.4 g., 12mm
Found in south western Germany
cf. C. King, “Fifth Century Silver Issues in Gaul,” SNL , Group B; RSC -. Good VF, Very rare. Excellent quality metal for issue and struck with fine-style dies.
While no specific mint has ever been determined, the find spots of examples of this type (in France and one in Switzerland), suggests a mint somewhere in northern Gaul, and may be attributed to a mint under the direction of Majorian's magister militum per Gallias, Aegidius, who held the province on his behalf. When Ricimer deposed Majorian in AD 461, Aegidius retained control of much of this territory for the empire in the face of Ricimer's candidate, Libius Severus.
Maiorian established his power in Gaul in 458. Hence the present coin likely dates to 458 to 461. The available find spot evidence and the fine style suggests to me that the coin was minted in Lugdunum (Lyon), which Maiorian had taken in 458 or 459 with the help of a Visigothic army. Indeed, I think my coin below is the only existing piece that shows and L on the reverse, which I think indicates Lyon.
This issue appears to have been ancestral for similar regional small silver coins in the names of the legitimate imperial candidates, Anthemius and Nepos (cf. RIC X 2905 and 3254; none exist for Severus), as well as similar possible Frankish types in the name of Anastasius.
Coleção : Merovingians - Bronze and Silver