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Gaius Vibius Volusianus (died 253 AD) grew up in the Roman province of Moesia. His childhood was one of privilege and comfort; after all, he was son of the local governor, Trebonianus Gallus. The situation changed dramatically, however, after Volusian learned that the troops declared his father as Augustus. For one thing, he now had to transfer to Rome, where a terrible plague ran rampant.
Only in his teens, Volusian was elevated to Caesar, and soon thereafter to co-Augusti. He needed to grow up fast - his father desperately needed help, particularly to deal with the horrible plague. One can only imagine the youngster’s horror at seeing his fellow Romans’ suffering and mounting death toll. Volusian and his father gave the situation their full attention, providing for proper burials, even for those too poor to afford it. Such sympathetic actions were well received by the Roman people.
However, the co-Augusti’s lack of attention towards other matters, particular on the foreign front, was not appreciated. In 252 AD, the eastern frontier came under attack by Persia. Within a year, the Persian defeated the local Roman forces and controlled most of Syria, including the capital of Antioch. They didn’t stop there, further challenging more of Rome’s eastern territories. Even so, the co-Augusti decided it was more important to continue battling the plague, rather than the Persians.
To this end, the co-Augusti remained in Rome, where this double denarius was struck sometime in 252-253 AD. The obverse depicts the bust of Volusian, draped and cuirassed, wearing the radiate crown popular for the period. His visage is stern and determined, looking much older than his years. Although only a teenager at the time, Volusian had arguably already experienced a full lifetime of successes and tragedies. On the verso is Volusian again, holding a scepter and a patera (an offering bowl), praying at a tripod alter, perhaps in respect for fellow Romans who had perished by plague.
While the co-Augusti focused on Rome, troubles at the Empire’s borders raged. In addition to the persistent Persian problem, the Goths once again were attacking along the Danube. Moesia’s new governor, Aemilianus, valiantly fought to keep things under control; as a reward, his troops elevated him to Augustus. Aemilianus accepted the promotion, and marched off to Rome with a large and battle-savvy contingency.
Gallus and Volusian, realizing their peril, gathered their own army and headed north to meet the oncoming rival Augustus. Their pace was slow, as they awaited reinforcements – which never arrived. The imperial troops, already frustrated they were mobilized – finally - not to fight bordering enemies, but fellow Romans, now feared for their lives. Inevitably, the reign of Volusian and his father came to an end at the hands of their own disaffected troops.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Volusian, AR Antoninianus (3.54 g, 21mm), Rome Mint, 252-253 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Volusian right, IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, Reverse: Emperor standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet to left, tripod-altar, P M TR P IIII COS II, References: RIC 141; RSC 94.