The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

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

Owner's Description

After ruling his own breakaway realm for nearly a decade, Postumus should have known better. He led his troops to victory over usurper Laelianus at Mogontiacum (modern day Mainz, Germany), but refused their request to sack the city as a reward. The disappointed soldiers took matters into their own hands, and Marcus Aurelius Marius (died 269 AD) earned a battlefield promotion to supreme ruler of the realm today referred to as the Romano-Gallic Empire. It is not certain exactly how, or even why, Marius was chosen to replace his murdered predecessor. He certainly had an impressive name, evocative of two famous Romans generals Marcus Aurelius and Gaius Marius. Some sources cite that Marius was previously a blacksmith of considerable skill. He certainly had served for some time in the Roman army, and rose to considerable prominence therein. Perhaps the selection was based on a campaign pledge to let the troops sack Mogontiacum. In any case, such permission was likely Marius’ first imperial edict. The exact length of Marius’ reign is unknown, and some ancient historians claim the duration was merely a few days. However, numismatic evidence suggests he ruled somewhat longer, perhaps a few months. Albeit short-lived, Marius’ accomplishment was advertised on coinage, including this bronze antoninianus. Publicized on the obverse is Marius’ change in status (his draped, cuirassed, and radiate-crowned bust, encircled by an imperial inscription), and proclaimed on the verso is his victory (the Roman divine personification of the same, with an appropriately victorious epithet). Although the location of this coin’s strike remains uncertain (possibly Cologne), it was almost certainly struck in 269 AD; Marius was both elevated and murdered that same year. The details of Marius' demise are not certain. An intriguing possibility is that a disgruntled forge worker, wielding a sword of Marius’ own fine craftsmanship, murdered him. Coin Details: Romano-Gallic Empire, Marius, AD 269. Antoninianus (Bronze, 18mm, 3.47 g 12), Cologne(?) mint, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust of Marius to right, IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG, Reverse: Victory standing left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left, VICTORIA AVG, References: Schulzki 7b; Elmer 638; RIC 17; Cunetio 2509; Sear 11123-11124.

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