Trajan Decius through Carinus.
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02. Trajan Decius.Antoninianus, ca 249 - 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG / Radiate bust of Trajan Decius.
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG / Victoria running, holding wreath and palm leaf.
4.22 gm., 23 mm.
RIC #29c; Sear #9387.Callimachus
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10. Herennia Etruscilla.Antoninianus, ca 249 - 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: HER ETRVSCILLA AVG / Diademed bust of Etruscilla, on crescent.
Reverse: PVDICITIA AVG / Pudicitia veiled and seated, with right hand drawing veil, and holding sceptre in left hand.
3.83 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #59b; Sear #9495.Callimachus
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16. Herennius Etruscus.Antoninianus, ca 250 - 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: Q HER ETR MES DECIVS NOB C / Radiate bust of Herennius Etruscus.
Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG / Two clasped right hands.
4.26 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #138; Sear #9518.
The title Nobilissimus Caesar first makes its appearance on Roman silver coins on the coinages of the sons of Trajan Decius. By the mid third century, the title had come to designate the heir or successor of the emperor. On coins, this title is usually abbreviated NOB C, NC, or NOB CAES.Callimachus
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22. Hostilian.Antoninianus, 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C / Radiate bust of Hostilian.
Reverse: MARTI PROPVGNATORI / Mars advancing, holding spear and shield.
3.37 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #177b; Sear #9556.Callimachus
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28. Trebonianus Gallus.Antoninianus, ca 251 - 253 AD, Milan mint.
Obverse: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG / Radiate bust of Gallus.
Reverse: IVNO MARTIALIS / Juno seated, holding sceptre and ear of corn.
3.45 gm., 19.5 mm.
RIC #69; Sear #9361.Callimachus
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29. Trebonianus Gallus.Antoninianus, ca 252 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES VIB TREB GALLVS AVG / Radiate bust of Gallus.
Reverse: APOLL SALVTARI / Apollo standing, holding branch and a lyre set on a rock.
3.82 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #32; Sear #9627.
In his book The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, & the End of an Empire, author Kyle Harper suggests the plague described by Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, was not a localized plague of some sort, but was one and the same with the plague that ravaged the Roman Empire during the reign of Trebonianus Gallus and several of his successors.
The plague was first reported in Alexandria in 249 AD, and by 251 AD it had made its way to Rome where the boy emperor Hostilian died from it. Harper says (p, 138), “The Plague of Cyprian is in the background of imperial history from ca. AD 249 to AD 262, possibly with even later effects around AD 270.”
Harper also presents a case that the plague was either pandemic influenza (similar to that of 1918) or a viral hemorrhagic fever (similar to the Ebola virus of today).
Coins with the reverse legend APOLL SALVTARI (“Apollo the Healer”) exist on coins of Trebonianus Gallus, Volusian, Aemilian, and Valerian I. This reverse type is certainly to be interpreted as an appeal to Apollo for deliverance from the plague that was spreading through the Empire at this time.Callimachus
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30. Volusian.Antoninianus, Jan. - April 253 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG / Radiate bust of Volusian.
Reverse: AEQVITAS AVGG / Aequitas standing, holding scales and cornucopiae.
3.00 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #166; Sear #9740.Callimachus
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32. Aemilian.Antoninianus, April - July 253 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG / Radiate bust of Aemilian.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG / Virtus standing, right foot on helmet, holding branch and spear.
4.01 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #12; Sear #9849.Callimachus
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34. Cornelia Supera.Antoninianus. Cast copy.
Obverse: C CORNEL SVPERA AVG / Diademed bust of Supera, on crescent.
Reverse: VESTA / Vesta standing, holding patera and transverse sceptre.
3.20 gm., 20 mm.
(copy of RIC #30; Sear #9876.)
This is a cast copy of a Cornelia Supera antoninianus. The surfaces have that grainy look to them often seen on cast coins. The flan cracks at the edges, which should be nice and sharp on a genuine coin, have smooth and rounded edges.Callimachus
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35. Valerian I.Antoninianus, 255-56 AD, either the Antioch mint or a mint in Samaosata.
Obverse: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Valerian.
Reverse: PIETAS AVGG / Emperors (Valerian & Galienus) standing face to face, holding eagle-tipped sceptre and parazonium, sacrificing on lighted altar.
4.55 gm., 25 mm.
RIC #284; Gobl #1676e.
Both sides of this coin are double-struck. The obverse is obviously so; and if you follow the beaded border around the reverse, you will see it is also double-struck. Callimachus
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36. Valerian I.Antoninianus, 257 AD, either the Antioch mint or a mint in Samaosata.
Obverse: IMP VALERIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Valerian.
Reverse: P M TR P V COS IIII P P / Emperors (Valerian & Galienus) standing face to face, shields and spears between them.
3.41 gm., 21.5 mm.
RIC #277; Sear #9962
The reverse type of this coin is interesting in that it is a copy of one used by Caesar Augustus some 250 years earlier (compare to the Augustus coin in this gallery). It is also one of the few dated coins of Valerian's reign.Callimachus
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38. Mariniana.Antoninianus, ca 256 - 257 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: DIVAE MARINIANAE / Veiled bust of Mariniana, on crescent.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO / Peacock.
3.56 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #3; Sear #10067.Callimachus
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40. Gallienus.Antoninianus, 260 - 268 AD, unidentified mint.
Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG / Radiate bust of Gallienus.
Reverse: MINEREA AVG / Minerva standing, with spear and shield. Palm branch below.
3.48 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #651 var; Sear #10290 var.
This coin has a spelling error on the reverse: MINEREA instead of MINERVA.
The city where this coin was minted is unknown, but it could possibly be Antioch or Cyzicus. For a discussion of the unusual style of this coin, and possible mint attributions, See RIC vol. V, part 1, p. 24.Callimachus
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48. Salonina.Antoninianus, 257 - 258 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: SALONINA AVG / Diademed bust of Salonina, on crescent.
Reverse: IVNO REGINA / Juno standing, holding patera and sceptre.
3.99 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #29; Sear 10640.Callimachus
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50. Valerian II.Antoninianus, 256 - 258 AD, either the Antioch mint or a mint in Samaosata.
Obverse: P LIC COR VALERIANVS CAES / Radiate bust of Valerian II.
Reverse: VICTORIA PART / Victory presenting wreath to Valerian II, in military dress, holding globe and spear.
3.77 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #54; Sear #10742.
Attributed to Antioch, 255 AD by RIC.
Attributed to "Eastern field mint," 256-58 AD by Sear, vol. III.
This coin shows a cuirass at the bottom edge of the obverse. Since it is way to the right, this bust type is "seen from behind." Not mentioned in RIC or Sear.
Just what victory over the Parthians is referred to on this coin is open to question.Callimachus
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51. Valerian II.Antoninianus, 256 - 258 AD, Cologne mint.
Obverse: VALERIANVS CAES / Radiate bust of Valerian II.
Reverse: IOVI CRESCENTI / The infant Jupier siting on a goat.
3.16 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #3; Sear #10731.
In all of Roman coinage, this coin of Valerian II is the only coin which has this reverse legend and type.
According to legend, the infant Zeus (Jupiter, Jove) was hidden in the cave of Dicte on Crete where he was suckled by a goat. He was hidden from his father Cronus, who intended to eat him just as he had swallowed all of Zeus' other siblings, to escape the prophesy that he would be succeeded by his son. Callimachus
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52. Valerian II.Antoninianus, 258 - 259 AD, Lugdunum mint.
Obverse: DIVO VALERIANO CAES / Radiate bust of Valerian II.
Reverse: CONSACRATIO / Eagle bearing Valerian to heaven.
2.76 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #9; Sear #10606.Callimachus
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56. Salonius.Antoninianus, 256 AD, Lugdunum mint.
Obverse: SALON VALERIANVS CAES / Radiate bust of Saloninus.
Reverse: PIETAS AVG / Sacrificial implements (left to right: lituus, ax or secespita, praefericulum, simpulum, and aspergillum).
2.72 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #9; Sear #10764.Callimachus
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58. Macrianus.Antoninianus, 260 - 261 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Macrianus.
Reverse: AEQVTAS AVGG / Aequitas standing, holding scales and cornucopiae.
3.72 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #5; Sear #10798.
The coins of Macrianus are usually struck in a white alloy metal. This coin is no exception, as close examination will show. However, it also has a nice even brown patina which is rare on the white metal coins.
Note the mis-spelling of the word AEQVITAS on the reverse.
Callimachus
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60. Quietus.Antoninianus, 260 - 262 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Quietus.
Reverse: ROMAE AETERNAE / Roma seated, holding Victory and spear. Star at left.
4.32 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #9; Sear #10827.
The coins of Quietus are also usually struck in a white alloy metal. It too has a nice even brown patina.Callimachus
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62. Posthumus.Antoninianus, 258 - 269 AD, Cologne mint.
Obverse: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Postumus.
Reverse: PAX AVG / Pax standing, holding olive branch and sceptre.
3.42 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #318; Sear #10967.
This is one of the last coins issued in the white metal alloy. Posthumus abandoned it later than most, and later coins of the Cologne mint are just bronze with a silver colored plating on them. See RIC vol. V, part 2, p. 328 - 330.Callimachus
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68. Victorinus.Antoninianus, 268 - 270 AD, Cologne mint.
Obverse: IMP C VICTORINVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Victorinus.
Reverse: PAX AVG / Pax standing, holding olive branch and sceptre. V in left field, star in right field.
2.97 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #118; Sear #11175.Callimachus
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70. Tetricus I.Antoninianus, 270 - 273 AD, Cologne or Vienne mint.
Obverse: IMP TETRICVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Tetricus I.
Reverse: HILARITAS AVGG / Hilaritas standing, holding palm branch and cornucopiae.
2.33 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #80; Sear #11237.
Tetricus was the last emperor of the so-called Gallo-Roman Empire. He became emperor in 270 AD, and immediately gave his young son, also named Tetricus, the title and rank of Caesar. Several years later in 273 AD when Aurelian invaded Gaul, Tetricus abdicated and surrendered to him. The lives of Tetricus and his son were spared and they spent the rest of their lives in Italy as private citizens. A welcome interlude in a saga where ambition lead to violent deaths for just about everyone involved !Callimachus
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72. Tetricus II.Antoninianus, 270 - 273 AD, possibly minted in Vienne.
Obverse: C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES / Radiate bust of Tetricus II.
Reverse: SPES AVGG / Spes walking, holding flower and raising skirt.
3.29 gm., 19.5 mm.
RIC 270; Sear #11292.
The life of Tetricus II was spared along with that of his father, and later in life, this boy became a well respected senator.Callimachus
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74. Claudius Gothicus.Antoninianus, 268 - 270 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG / Radiate bust of Claudius.
Reverse: FIDES EXERCI / Fides standing, holding two standards.
3.10 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #34; Sear #11334.Callimachus
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76. Quintillus.Antoninianus, 270 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR CL QVINTILLVS AVG / Radiate bust of Quintillus.
Reverse: FIDES MILITVM / Fides standing, holding standard and spear. E in right field.
3.79 gm., 18.5 mm.
RIC #18; Sear #11440.
Many historians limit the reign of Quintillus to 17 days. However, the number of his coins that have survived seems to contradict this. This is corroborated by the fact that all the mints -- except Antioch -- that struck coins for his brother Claudius Gothicus also struck coins for him. Callimachus
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78. Aurelian.Antoninianus, 270 - 275 AD, possibly minted in Siscia.
Obverse: AVRELIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Aurelian.
Reverse: ORIENS AVG / Sol standing, right hand raised, left hand holding globe; captive at his feet. S in exergue.
3.97 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #248.
Attribution: There are three coins listed in RIC that have the correct obverse legend (5), portrait (F), and reverse type: RIC 135 Milan, RIC 248 Siscia, and RIC 277 Serdicia. The characteristics of coins from Siscia found on this coin are busts with long necks, and square A and V. I have tentatively attributed this coin to Siscia based on these characteristics. Callimachus
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80. Severina.Antoninianus, 270 - 275 AD, Cyzicus mint.
Obverse: SEVERINA AVG / Diademed bust of Severina, on crescent.
Reverse: CONCORDIAE MILITVM / Concordia standing, holding two standards. XXI in exergue.
3.96 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #18.Callimachus
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82. Vabalathus.Antoninianus, 270 - 272 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: VABALATHVS V C R IM D R / Laureate and diademed bust of Vabalathus.
Reverse: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Aurelian.
4.03 gm., 19.5 mm.
RIC (Aurelian) #381; Sear #11718.
Vabalathus was the son of Odenathus and Zenobia, king and queen of Palmyra. His Arabic name was Wahb Allat, meaning "gift of the goddess," and "Vabalathus" is the Latinized form of that name. The goddess is Al-Lat, a pre-Islamic goddess who was one of the three main goddesses of Mecca. She was called "the Great Goddess" and thereby became identified with the Greek goddess Athena. Vabalathus used "Athenodorus" as the Greek form of his name.
Callimachus
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84. Tacitus.Antoninianus, 275 - 276 AD, Serdica mint.
Obverse: IMP C M CL TACITVS P AVG / Radiate bust of Tacitus.
Reverse: CONSERVAT MILIT / Tacitus standing, holding sceptre and receiving globe from Jupiter, who is also standing and holding a sceptre. A between them. K A in exergue.
3.41 gm., 21.5 mm.
RIC #192.
Callimachus
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86. Florian.Antoninianus, 276 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C FLORIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Florian.
Reverse: SALVS AVG / Salus standing, holding sceptre, and feeding a serpent rising from altar. XXID in exergue.
3.55 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #40; Sear #11872.Callimachus
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88. Probus.Antoninianus, 276 - 282 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP PROBVS AVG / Radiate bust of Probus, facing left, and wearing imperial mantle, holding eagle-tipped sceptre.
Reverse: SOLI INVICTO / Sol in chariot pulled by four horses, holding globe and whip. R * E in exergue.
3.67 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #202; Sear #12038.
This coin is from a collection formed in the mid-1800s in England. One of the gentleman's great grand children finally sold the collection in 1990, which is when I acquired this coin.Callimachus
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90. Carus.Antoninianus, July - Nov. 283 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CARVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Carus.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGG / Virtus standing, leaning on shield, holding spear.
K A Γ in exergue.
3.65 gm., 21 mm. RIC #46.Callimachus
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92. Numerian.Antoninianus, 283 - 284 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Numerian.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGG / Numerian standing, receiving globe (surmounted by
Victory) from Jupiter, also standing and holding a sceptre. Z between them. XXI in exergue.
3.71 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #466; Sear #12256.Callimachus
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94. Carinus.Antoninianus, 283 - 285 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG / Radiate bust of Carinus.
Reverse: FIDES MILITVM / Fides standing, holding two standards. K A E in exergue.
3.21 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #252.
According to Gibbon (XII), Carinus "was more than commonly deficient" in the qualities of virtue and prudence. He "displayed . . . the extravagancies of Elagabalus, aggravated by the cruelty of Domitian." It is said that he married no less than 9 wives, although we know the name of only one of them. However, Carinus must have been a fairly competent general since he defeated two formidable rebels -- Julianus and Diocletian. He was murdered by one of his officers (had an affair with the officer's wife) shortly after his victory, and the empire fell into the hands of Diocletian.Callimachus
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96. Magna Urbica.Antoninianus, 283 - 285 AD, Ticinum mint.
Obverse: MAGNIA VRBICA AVG / Diademed bust of Magnia Urbica.
Reverse: VENVS VICTRIX / Venus standing, holding helmet and sceptre, shield at right. SXXIT in exergue.
3.76 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #347; Sear #12423.Callimachus
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98. Carausius.Antoninianus, 287-293, Colchester mint.
Obverse: IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG / Radiate bust of Carausius.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG / Virtus standing, with spear and shield.
Mint mark: C
4.05 gm., 25 mm.
RIC #437; Sear unlisted.
Note: This coin is from my British coin collection and is pictured there as well.Callimachus
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99. Allectus.Quinarius, 293 - 296 AD, Colchester mint.
Obverse: IMP C ALLECTVS P AVG / Radiate bust of Allectus.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG / Galley sailing to the right, steersman standing aft.
Mint mark: Q C
2.50 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #130; Sear #13875.
Note: This coin is from my British coin collection and is pictured there as well.Callimachus
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