Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 482 16 Dec 2020
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Quintillus. AD 270. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 10.71 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 270). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right, head left, wings closed, holding wreath in beak; L A (date) across field. Köln 3049; Dattari (Savio) 5419; K&G 105.1; Emmett 3907.1 (R2). Dark brown patina with flecks of verdigris. EF. Exceptional condition, and slightly better than the Staffieri specimen, which realized hammer $750.
Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II, and had been placed in command by his brother at Aquileia to protect the western borders, while Claudius was in command of the effort against the Goths. In August or September of 270, when news reached Italy and Aquileia of Claudius' death, Quintillus paid a donative to the army, curried the support of the Senate, and was then hailed emperor. His tenure was to be short-lived as the Illyrian troops proclaimed Aurelian, Claudius' successor in the Gothic campaign in the Balkans, as emperor. In either October or November of 270, Quintillus committed suicide, after his own soldiers had abandoned his cause.
Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II, and had been placed in command by his brother at Aquileia to protect the western borders, while Claudius was in command of the effort against the Goths. In August or September of 270, when news reached Italy and Aquileia of Claudius' death, Quintillus paid a donative to the army, curried the support of the Senate, and was then hailed emperor. His tenure was to be short-lived as the Illyrian troops proclaimed Aurelian, Claudius' successor in the Gothic campaign in the Balkans, as emperor. In either October or November of 270, Quintillus committed suicide, after his own soldiers had abandoned his cause.