Maxentius Augustus, AR Argenteus circa 307-310 AD, AR 3.57 g.; 21 mm.

Lot No.: 509

Estimate: CHF 50,000

Obv: MAXENTI-VS PF AVG, bare-headed, draped bust facing
Rev: TEMPORVM FELICITAS AVG N, she-wolf standing right, 
suckling twins.

Mintmark PR.

Cohen 106; RIC VI Rome 191; M. R. Alföldi, Die 
Constantinische Goldprägung, p. 32 and pl. 2, 39; NZ 1925.

Of the highest rarity, only the second specimen known and the only one in private hands.

Probably the finest portrait on a Roman coin of this period 
and one of the finest of the entire Roman series made by an
 artist of great talent. Prettily toned and a minor flan
 crack, otherwise good extremely fine.

Facing portraits did not become a regular feature of Roman
 coinage until late in the Constantinian Era, and even then 
they were only produced in large quantities at eastern 
mints. On the rare occasions that we encounter 
facing busts from earlier times we can be sure they were 
important issues. This silver argenteus - a companion to 
aurei of the same issue - is a remarkable coin, and almost 
certainly was struck as a presentation piece. It ranks among 
the great rarities in the Roman series: only one specimen is 
listed in RIC, and this is the only facing-head issue 
Maxentius struck in silver, and the only one he struck in 
Rome. The reverse is fully in line with Maxentius' 
numismatic imagery: an iconic image of Romulus and Remus 
suckled by the she-wolf accompanied by the optimistic 
inscription TEMPORVM FELICITAS AVG N ("the happiness we 
enjoy under our emperor"). Of Maxentius' facing-head aurei,
 five different reverses are recorded, one of which is 
identical to this argenteus of Rome. The remaining four 
express Maxentius' desire for eternal peace or eternal 
victory, or offer praise to the victorious Mars. 

With kind permission of Numismatica Ars Classica, ZH, April 2010.