Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1165. Estimate $15000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $15000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PETRONIUS MAXIMUS. 455 AD. AV Solidus (4.40 gm). Rome mint. D N PETRONIVS MA-XIMVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VICTORI-A AVGGG, Petronius standing facing, holding long cross and Victory on globe, right foot resting on human-headed serpent; R-M/COMOB. RIC X 2201; Depeyrot 48/3; Lacam 5; DOCLR 874. Near EF. Very rare. (See color enlargement on plate 18.) ($15,000) 

From the William H. Williams Collection. 

Following the assassination of Valentinian III in 455 AD, there was no male heir to the imperial throne. Petronius Maximus was chosen as the new emperor and he immediately married the wife of Valentinian, Licinia Eudoxia. Licinia, believing that Petronius was responsible for her late husband’s death, was not happy with the new arrangement, and she appealed to the Vandal king of Carthage, Gaiseric, for help. Gaiseric responded to Licinia’s plea and quickly sailed for Italy. Fearing for his life, Petronius decided to flee, but was abandoned by his body guard. While riding out of Rome on May 31, Petronius was stoned and killed. His reign lasted for only seventy days.