NumisBids
  
Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 41  2 Dec 2017
View prices realized

Lot 947

Estimate: 3500 GBP
Price realized: 3400 GBP
Find similar lots
Share this lot: Share by Email
Pacatian AR Antoninianus. Viminacium, AD 248-249. IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F A.., radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / PAX AETERNA, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse sceptre. RIC 5; Cohen 6. 4.28g, 20mm, 8h.

Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Tiberius Claudius Marinus Pacatianus was raised to the purple by his troops, and then killed by them within a matter of months and before Trajan Decius, sent by the Emperor Philip I, was able to tackle him himself. Usurping power in the region of the Danube, later writers such as Zosimus relate that he was an officer of the army and perhaps of senatorial rank. Though no specific reasons for the rebellion are clear from the sources, the Danube frontier is known to have been threatened repeatedly by the Goths, and the sheer number of uprisings in this area led by the army is suggestive of serious and continuing unrest.

Though at least seven reverse types are known for Pacatian, the remaining coinage is extremely rare and in the main of poor quality. One reverse type, featuring Roma seated, securely dates Pacatian's revolt to AD 248 as it commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome, an event that Philip I also marked on his coinage. Viminacium is taken to be the mint for Pacatian's coinage due to similarities in style to other issues from this mint, and also because for the period of the rebellion no coins of Philip I were produced there.
Question about this auction? Contact Roma Numismatics Ltd