The Usurper Maximus

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 426. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Maximus of Spain. Usurper, AD 409-411. AR Siliqua (1.11 g, 1h). Barcino (Barcelona) mint. Struck AD 410-411. D N MAXIM [V]S P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTOR A AAVGGG, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe in right hand and inverted spear in left; [SMBA]. RIC X 1601; King p. 291; RSC 1b. Good VF, pleasing old gray cabinet toning. Wonderful portrait. Fuller legends than usually seen. Excellent silver quality.

From the White Mountain Collection.

Maximus was the domesticus (household manager) and probably a relative of the general Gerontius, who revolted against Constantine III in AD 409. Basically a non-entity and Gerontius' puppet, Maximus was allowed to retire into private life when his master committed suicide in AD 411. However, if this Maximus is the same person as the Maximus tyrannus who unsuccessfully attempted to seize power in Spain around AD 420, his good fortune did not last. Maximus tyrannus was captured and publicly executed at the games celebrating Honorius' tricennalia at Ravenna in AD 422 as an example for any other would-be traitors. According to Philip Grierson (DOCLR, p. 219), there are about twenty known coins of Maximus.