The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch XF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5
Grade Comment: lt. smoothing
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

A plethora of Emperors – both legitimate and otherwise – reigned during Rome’s Crisis of the Third Century. Among the long list of usurpers were dynasts collectively referred to as the Macriani, whose progenitor, Fulvius Iunius Macrianus, aka Macrianus Major, once served under Augustus Valerian. In 260 AD when Valerian fell prisoner to the Sassanids, Macrianus Major suggested a change in Rome’s leadership team. With the support of Valerian’s praetorian prefect, not to mention access to the imperial coffers, the elder Macriani put forth as candidates his two sons: Macrianus Minor and Quietus. The newly proclaimed co-Augusti quickly consolidated power over Rome’s easternmost territories. Their reach included Egypt, an important supplier of grain to Rome. Meanwhile in the west, the situation was equally, if not more, chaotic. For one thing, the prominent general Postumus had been elevated to Augustus by his troops, and several provinces followed suit, resulting in a new breakaway realm. In addition, the demise of Valerian dynasts Valerian II (under suspicious circumstances) and Saloninus (via murder) left Rome whittled down to a lone, legitimate Augustus, Valerian’s son Gallienus. The latter had his hands full with crises, for example responding to a barbarian barrage into Italy that nearly reached the Eternal City. With the Roman Empire mired in crisis, the Macriani’s time had come. Advertising their intentions, they struck coins at eastern mints such as Samosata, Alexandria, and Antioch, the source of this ancient bronze antoninianus. The obverse design is typical for the period, depicting a radiate and cuirassed bust of Macrianus Minor along with the epithet IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG. On the reverse of this particular issue stands Aequitas, the Roman divine personification of various related concepts such as justice, equality, and fairness. The goddess holds her usual trappings of a cornucopia and a balance. The epithet AEQVITAS AVGG completes the scene, promising that co-Augusti Macrianus and Quietus would restore balance and prosperity to an Empire in disarray after Valerian’s demise. Similar themes are found elsewhere on Macrianus’ coinage, including FORT REDVX (return to good fortune), CONSERVATRICI AVG (protection of the Emperor), SPES PVBLICA (good hope), and ROMAE AETERNAE (enduring Rome). As it tuned out, the Macriani didn’t live up to their numismatic hype. In 261 AD, Macrianus Major and Minor headed west, to challenge Gallienus’ dominion over the shrinking Roman Empire. Standing in their way were Pannonia’s powerful legions, under the commanded of the talented general Aureolus (yet another, future usurper). Far short of their ultimate goal, the father-and-son duo were defeated, and reportedly ordered their own executions. Soon thereafter, a weakened Quietus was killed under siege in his last Syrian stronghold of Emesa. Beyond highlights of their rise and fall, many details of the Macriani’s history remain uncertain. A similar situation exists for the many other usurpers who challenged Rome during the great Crisis of the Third Century. Based on numismatic evidence, Macrianus and his brother endeavored to restore Rome’s past greatness. That vision, however, would not be realized for another generation. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Macrianus, Usurper, 260-261 AD, Antoninianus (21 mm, 4.62g, 12h), Antioch, 1st emission, NGC Grade: Ch XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right, IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia, AEQVTAS AVGG, References: RIC V 5; MIR 44, 1727b; RSC 1b var. (rev. legend).

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