Los 3183

AV Solidus (Arelate (Arles), 4.47 g) - Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield with Christogram / Maiorianus, in military attire, standing facing, holding long cross and Victoria, his right foot on human-headed serpent (A-R in fields left and right, COMOB and star in ex.) (cf. RIC 2634 RRRR (star in ex. instead of dot!) / cf. Depeyrot 26/1) - some 'earthen' deposit obv., small edge irregularity and small area of weakness, VF/XF-a.XF, a very rare and desirable coin. Maiorianus was a great and heroic general of the late Roman army. He besieged and succeeded the Roman emperor Avitus in AD 457 and he was the last emperor who made strong efforts to restore the Western Roman empire with its own forces. Therefore he campaigned rigorously for three years against the Empire's enemies, in Italy, Gaul and Spain. In time, he took unpopular measurements to reform the internal administration of the Empire, trying to make it more efficient, stable and just. The powerful aristocracy of the Empire became reluctant to Maiorianus' reforms, and finally general Ricimer deposed and killed Maiorianus.