Nepotian
350 AD
Ruled Rome for 28 days
Nephew of Constantine the Great
Flavius Julius Nepotianus Constantinus was a nephew of Constantine the Great. Nepotian seized power in Rome following the death of Constans in 350 AD. Nepotian proclaimed himself emperor and entered Rome with a band of gladiators on June 3rd, 350AD. After a brief reign of only 28 days, Nepotian was captured by the soldiers of Magnentius, the usurper, and put to death. In the following days, his mother, Eutropia, was also executed alongside the supporters of Nepotianus.
Monetary System
Note: The coinage of Nepotian is excessively rare given his brief reign of only 28 days. Nonetheless, as is always, the need to pay supporters prompts perhaps the very first act to be the cutting of dies and minting of coins. The monetary system under Nepotian maintained the proper weights of the period and included both a gold solidus as well as the bronze centenionalis. It is interesting to note that several legends were utilized in his brief coinage. One of the last issues struck places more emphasis upon a family link to the house of Constantine by reducing his name to merely “NEP” followed by “CONSTANTINVS” for obvious political reasons.
Mints: Rome
Obverse Legends:
D N IVL NEPOTIANVS P F AVG
FL POP NEPOTIANVS P F AVG
FL NEP CONSTANTINVS AVG
DENOMINATIONS
AU Solidus (4.50 grams)
AE Centenionalis
