Vetranio AD 350 Bronze Follis Siscia

Vetranio AD 350 Bronze Follis

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, A behind bust, star before/Vetranio standing holding labarum in each hand

Siscia

RCV18903; 22mm, 5.25g

Comes with previous handwritten label

Vetranio was an able officer in the Roman army with a career which stretched back to the reign of Constantine. The usurpation of Magnentius placed Vetranio in a difficult position as he was undecided whether to remain loyal to Constantius or whether to support the usurper Magnentius. Wisely he supported Constantius and as a result was shortly afterwards proclaimed emperor in order to give him the necessary authority to oppose Magnentius.
Magnentius at that time was still hoping for a reconciliation with Constantius and as a result refrained from attacking Vetranio. With the return of Constantius to the west in the autumn Vetranio proclaimed his loyalty to Constantius and at Naissus he abdicated on Christmas day. A grateful Constantius granted him a vast estate giving him a luxurious retirement. He died 6 years later.
The coinage of Vetranio was mostly produced from the Balkan mint of Siscia