This beautiful Roman gold coin found recently near Shalfleet is a solidus of Julius Nepos (AD 474-475)  At this time the Western Roman Empire was on the point of collapse. Nepos proclaimed himself emperor in June 474 but was murdered the next year. The coin is a rare find and this is the only example recorded on the PAS database. It was manufactured at an unofficial mint in Southern Gaul The front of the coin shows an image of Juilus Nepos wearing a pearl-diademed helmet. The reverse side depicts Victory holding a long cross.