Lot 4527

AE4 / Nummus (Mediolanum, Rome or Ravenna, 1.27 g) - DN IVL MAIORIANVS FPRAV Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVGCC Victoria standing facing, head left, wreath upward in right hand, palm in left (in ex: RA, RM or MD) (cf. RIC X 2646) - Nice green patina and a good portrait, readable legend. All of Majorian's coins are very rare. The bronze issues were struck at Mediolanum (Milan), Ravenna and Rome, and the Milan issue is exceptional for the fact that the mint was not a moneta publica - this type and an uncertain specimen of Nepos being the only bronze it is known to have issued. In the absence of the mint-mark, a situation which is frequently encountered on the fifth-century aes coinage due to the small flan size and crude workmanship, often one must depend totally on style for mint attribution. In the case of Majorian's Milan issue this becomes quite easy as the style is distinctive, most noticeably in the bulbous facial features and long neck.