D N VETRANIO P F AVG laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCITVM, Emperor standing facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield. mintmark TESA. 17.5mm, 2.23 grams. Thessalonica mint. RIC 138.

Vetranio (d. c. 360), born in the province of Moesia in a region in modern Serbia, is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Vetriano. He was an experienced soldier and officer when he was asked by Constantina, the sister of Roman Emperor Constantius II, to proclaim himself Caesar (March 1, 350). Her brother Constans had been killed by Magnentius earlier that year and she probably thought Vetranio could protect her family and herself against the usurper. Vetranio accepted, and coins were minted in his name, showing the title of Augustus (full emperor), rather than Caesar. Constantius first seemed to accept the new Emperor and his regalia and sent him money to raise an army. Constantius was on a campaign against thens when Magnentius came to power. He returned to the West and met with Vetranio, who subsequently abdicated on December 25, 350. He was allowed to live the remainder of his years as a private citizen on a state pension in Prusa ad Olympium, Bithynia.