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Martinian. Usurper, AD 324. Æ Follis (20mm, 2.47 g, 5h). Nicomedia mint, 3rd officina. D N M MARTINIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / IOVI CONS ERVATORI, Jupiter, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, standing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and eagle-tipped scepter in left; to left, eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in its beak; to right, bound captive seated right, head left; –|X/IIΓ//SMNΓ. RIC VII 45; Hunter 1 var. (officina). Green and brown patina, light roughness. Near VF. Very rare.
From the S & S Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 1789.
Proof that history does repeat itself can be found in the sad tale of Martinian, a puppet ruler installed by the Eastern Roman Emperor Licinius in the midst of his second civil war against Constantine I “the Great.” Martinian was of obscure origins, but by the mid AD 320s he had risen to become the chief minister of Licinius, just as it became apparent that a final clash with Constantine was imminent. Though Licinius had a bigger army, Constantine was much the better general and inflicted a heavy defeat on his rival in Thrace on July 3, AD 324. Crossing to Chalcedon, Licinius declared Constantine deposed and raised Martinian to the office of Augustus, with instructions to prevent Constantine from crossing into Asia Minor. Constantine easily evaded Martinian’s blocking force, landed in Asia and cornered Licinius at Nicomedia. Having no choice, Licinius surrendered on terms brokered by his wife (and Constantine’s sister) Constantia. Martinian went into exile in Cappadocia, but was executed a few months later when Licinius was detected plotting a return to power. Seven years before, under virtually identical circumstances, Licinius had appointed Valerius Valens to a similar role, with almost identical results.
Like those of Valerius Valens, coins of Martinian are quite rare and limited to a single issue from the mint of Nicomedia. The reverse evokes “Jupiter the Protector,” Licinius’ patron deity, who notably failed to protect him and Martinian from the wrath of Constantine and his Christian god.
The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.
Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
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