The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus was born of noble Gallic blood sometime around the middle of the 3rd century AD. He found himself swept up in the events that led to the founding of a new breakaway kingdom, referred to today as the Gallic Empire. The Empire’s founder, Postumus, mimicked many traditional Roman legislative and executive structures, including a senate, in which Tetricus took part. Some years later, Tetricus left the Senate to assume the governorship of the Gallia Aquitania province. In 271 AD, news spread that the Augustus of the Gallic Empire, Victorinus, died at the hands of one of his officers, and, for once, the troops did not proclaim anyone as new emperor (owing that the deed was personally, not politically motivated). He was survived by his mother and reigning Augusta, Victoria (who was also Postumus’ sister and sole survivor of his dynasty). With her acumen, influence, and great personal wealth, Victoria bribed the troops into accepting her candidate for next Augustus of the Gallic Empire. With no remaining blood relations to choose from, she picked the proven and respected Tetricus. Tetricus accepted the nomination, although he must have foreseen the difficult path ahead to rule the waning Gallic Empire. Germanic tribes kept invading across the Rhine, keeping Tetricus busy with defense for the first couple years of his reign. The province of Hispania, which refused to acknowlege Victorinus as Augustus, likewise ignored Tetricus, and re-aligned itself with Rome. The loss of resources, particularly Hispania’s rich mines, was a blow to the Gallic Empire. The Gallic Empire’s coinage suffered: a precious metal shortage necessitated a drastic reduction of antoniniani silver content, down to as low as a mere 1%. Although Tetricus produced large quantities of coins, they exhibited generally poor quality, not to mention a high susceptibility to corrosion (owing their low silver content). This coin, remarkably well struck and preserved for its type, was struck under Tetricus sometime between 272 and 274 AD. The obverse depicts a radiate and cuirassed Augustus, typical for the period. On the verse stands Laetitia, the Roman goddess representing a host of related concepts such as joy, gaiety, and celebration. In one hand, she holds a wreath, an ornament commonly worn during festivities or holy rituals. In her other hand, she holds an anchor, representing stability. This imagery, along with the epithet (LAETITIA AVG N), was propaganda to convey the happiness that the Augustus brought to his subjects. Laetitia’s sentiment notwithstanding, the Gallic Empire continued its decline. Meanwhile, the Augustus of the Roman Empire, Aurelian, was growing powerful and fixated on recovering the wayward territories. Portions of the Gallic Empire, fearing Aurelian’s wrath, reverted their allegiance back to Rome. In an attempt to improve support, Tetricus appointed his son, Tetricus II as Caesar. However, nothing was stopping Aurelian, who marched his massive army into Gaul in early 274 AD. The two Tetrici responded in kind, gathering their armies to meet the oncoming storm. The forces of the Gallic and Roman Empires battled it out near Châlons-sur-Marne, (today the capital of Champagne-Ardenne in France). Both sides incurred horrific casualties, but Rome proved the stronger. The turning point of the struggle came when Tetricus was captured, which, according to at least one account, may have been intentional. It has even been claimed that Tetricus wrote Aurelian prior to the battle, quoting Virgil: eripe me his, invicte, malis (rescue me, o undefeated one, from these troubles). Many historians refute this notion as Aurelian’s propaganda after the fact, and maintain Tetricus fought valiantly to the last, and did not betray his troops. Whether or not Tetricus’ intent, the Gallic Empire collapsed, and he and his son, prisoners at Aurelian’s mercy, were taken to Rome and put on display as war trophies. Even so, Tetricus’ narrative does not end here. Aurelian not only pardoned his prisoners, but also appointed Tetricus a governorship in southern Italy. The Roman Augustus was either repaying a debt, or decided he needed insurance to stabilize western portions of the Empire. As a result, Tetricus became the only Augustus to be defeated, yet manage to live out a long life afterwards in peace and comfort. Coin Details: ROMANO-GALLIC EMPIRE, Tetricus, 271-274 AD, Billon Double Denarius (2.36 g, 21 mm), NGC Grade:Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate, and cuirassed bust right, IMP TETRICVS PF AVG, Reverse: Laetitia standing left holding wreath and anchor, LAETITIA AVG N, Reference: RIC V-2 90.

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