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Roman Imperial. Vetranio Æ Follis (17mm, 2.43 g, 5h), Siscia, 350 CE.
Obv: DN VETRANIO P F AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM / ЄSIS. Vetranio advancing right, holding spear and globe, trampling on captive.
Ref: RIC VIII 296; LRBC 1182; Esty F419; Failmezger p. 40, 419. “Scarce” in RIC, but should probably be considered rare.
Prov: Adrian Lang Collection (Leu WA 21 [19 Jul 2022], 5513), since cleaned; Ex DFA Collection (Electronic Auction 548, Lot 641).
Hist. Notes: Vetranio’s reign is a brief but fascinating one, albeit muddled by conflicting contemporary accounts. A few things are sure: He was Emperor for only nine months, March to December 350, reigning over the Danubian Provinces. The much-hated Constans had just died and Constantius II was embroiled in war in Persia. Magnentius had taken the opportunity to usurp control of the Western Empire.
Somehow Vetranio ended up as Emperor over several Provinces (Illyricum, Macedon, and Dacia, I believe). One version is that he was acting in support of Constantius II all along, and only temporarily took the purple to protect his region from Magnentius (though Magnentius hoped to gain formal acknowledgement as co-ruler). Vetranio’s wife Constantia (sister of Constantius) is often given a prominent role in the telling.
Another version is that he was acting on behalf of Magnentius (at some point), and yet another that he was acting entirely on his own. (For an interesting summary, incl. an overview of debates within the literature: Drinkwater 2000: pp. 146ff.)
In any case, he appears to have temporarily allied with Magnentius against Constantius II. He famously begged for Constantius II’s forgiveness publicly and was pardoned on the spot. Vetranio was allowed to abdicate and retire to Bithynia, where he lived a few more years and – highly unusual for a Roman Emperor – died peacefully on his estate.