ROMAN. Eugenius. A.D. 392-394. Silver Siliqua (1.73g). Treveri (Trier) mint. $Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; TRPS. RIC IX 106d; RSC 14a. Superb aEF, with old cabinet grey toning and light iridescence. An amazing coin, missing from most collections. For the most recent example in similar condition see; Classical Numismatic Group Auction 129, lot 581, 13 May 2025, hammered USD 5,500. For another recent example see; Kunker Auction 438, lot 842, 16 March 2026, hammered EUR 550, and clearly far inferior to the present superb specimen. Eugenius' coinage is remarkable for its strongly individualised portraiture, a feature not seen on imperial issues since the reign of Julian II some thirty years earlier. Like Julian, he is depicted with a full beard, an intentional reference to the philosopher's image of classical tradition. Although outwardly Christian, this appearance was readily interpreted as a sign of sympathy toward the pagan aristocracy of Rome, whose standing had greatly diminished under the rigorously Catholic rule of Theodosius I in the East. Seeking to secure support in the West, Eugenius appears to have made calculated gestures toward the adherents of the old religion, who received him with enthusiasm. In the end, however, this alignment gave Theodosius the justification he required to invade Italy and extinguish the usurpation.

Estimate: AUD 1500