The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU Strike: 3/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In mid 260s AD, Marcus Piauonius Victorinus (???- 271 AD) forged a military career under his uncle, the founding ruler of the Roman-Gallic Empire. Victorinus held various important stations in the new realm spun off from Rome, including praetorian tribune, and co-consul (along with Postumus). In 269 AD, Postumus was killed by his own troops, who choose Marius as the next Gallic Emperor. The decision was likely sanctioned by Postumus’ bereaved sister, the Empress Victoria, who was reportedly Marius’ mistress. These developments did not sit well with Victorinus, who thought it was his turn as Postumus’ nephew and rightful heir. A few months later, Victorinus managed a coup resulting in Marius’s elimination and his own placement on the Gallic throne. Following Victorinus’ ascension, only three of his territories acknowledged him: Gaul, Germania, and Britannia. In a troubling development, Hispania declared loyalty to the Roman Augustus, Claudius Gothicus, who sent in one of his generals to strengthen Rome’s position in the region. Fearing retaliation, other Gallic areas began to defect back to Rome, most importantly the strategic city of Augustodunum (modern-day Autun, France), founded and named after Rome’s very first official Emperor. Victorinus knew that if he lost Augustodunum, other parts of Gaul would likely follow, and his Empire would fall apart. Victorinus collected his armies together and besieged the city. The campaign took seven months before achieving its goal. Shrewdly, Victorinus allowed his troops to plunder the city afterwards (thus avoiding his uncle’s fate, see the comments under Postumus’ coin). The success marked a high point in Victorinus’ reign, and this antoninianus was struck around that time, at the Treveri (Trier) mint. The obverse bust of Victorinus is draped and cuirassed, complete with radiate crown. The depiction is very reminiscent of Postumus; either Victorinus truly resembled his uncle, or was promoting his lineage. On the verso stands Fides, holding two signum, or signs, all within the legend FIDES MILITVM, meaning faith of the military. This imagery was propaganda intended to promote ties between the Emperor and his military, in order to hold the Roman-Gallic Empire together. Victorinus managed just that, at least for a while. After the success at Augustodunum, Victorinus moved his court to Germania, where, in 271 AD, he was slain by one of his officers. This was not your ordinary Emperor’s assassination, typically motivated by desire for power, fear of defeat in battle, or general disapproval or disaffection. Reportedly, Victorinus was having an affair with the officer’s wife, who killed his commander in jealousy. Everyone was caught unawares, and Victorinus’ mother, still holding title of Empress, took it upon herself to make arrangements for the succession. Coin Details: ROMANO-GALLIC EMPIRE, Victorinus, AD 269-271, Antoninianus (18mm, 2.53 g, 6h), Treveri (Trier) mint, 2nd emission, late AD 269, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C PIA V VICTORINVS P F AVG, Reverse: Fides standing facing, head left, holding signum in each hand, FIDES MILITVM, References: RIC V 109; Mairat 247-51; AGK 5b; Cohen 36, cf Sear 11168.

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in