CNG ebay - Magnentius. CHI-RHO reverse. VF.
$83.50
10/13/99,


     Magnentius. 350-353 AD. Æ Centenionalis (5.50 gm). Lugdunum (?)
     mint. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right / Large
     Chi-Rho flanked with A W; LS(?)L[G?] below. Cf. RIC VIII 180. VF,
     brown patina. 716314.

     The mint mark on this piece appears to begin LSI, which would
     tend to indicate the Siscia mint. This mint only struck for
     Magnentius for one month in 351 AD, with no coins of this
     Christogram type recorded. The style, however, more closely
     resembles that of the Lugdunum mint, and on closer inspection the
     "S" could be a somewhat distorted "P. " Another alternative,
     supported by the somewhat rough style, is that this is a
     contemporary barbaric imitation, although the close adherance to
     the proper legend form argues otherwise.