Maxentius Augustus, AR Argenteus ca 307-310 AD, AR 3.57 g.; 21 mm.
Lot No.: 509

Estimate: CHF 50,000

Obv: MAXENTI-VS PF AVG, bare-headed, draped bust facing
Rev: TEMPORVM FELICITAS AVG N, she-wolf standing right, 
suckling twins.

Mintmark PR.

Cohen 106; RIC VI Rome 191; M. R. Alföldi, Die 
Constantinische Goldprägung, p. 32 and pl. 2, 39; NZ 1925.

Of the highest rarity, only the second specimen known and 
the only one in private hands.

This silver argenteus - a companion to aurei of the same issue - 
is a remarkable coin, and almost certainly was struck as a 
presentation piece. It ranks among the great rarities in the 
Roman series: only one specimen is listed in RIC, and this is 
the only facing-head issue Maxentius struck in silver, and the 
only one he struck in Rome. 

With kind permission of Numismatica Ars Classica, ZH, April 2010.