Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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Laelianus. Romano-Gallic Usurper, AD 269. Antoninianus (23mm, 2.64 g, 8h). Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne) mint. 3rd emission. Radiate and cuirassed bust right / Victory running right, holding wreath and palm frond. RIC V 9; CGE 532; Gilljam 106A (dies XXX/16); AGK 1c. Glossy brown patina. Near EF. Struck on a broad flan. Rare and exceptional for issue.
The Gallo-Roman usurper Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus was apparently a high-ranking officer under Postumus at the city of Moguntiacum (modern Mainz, Germany) on the Rhine, home base of Legio XXII Primigenia. In February or March of AD 269, his legion proclaimed him emperor in revolt against Postumus. His family name of Ulpius suggests a distant connection to the Spanish imperial line of Trajan, perhaps supported by his use of Hispania as a reverse type on one of his gold aurei. His revolt against Postumus apparently came after his soldiers repulsed a German invasion, and may have had the tacit support of the legitimate Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Postumus, however, quickly placed Moguntiacum under siege and Laelianus was soon killed by his own soldiers, but Postumus was himself slain when he refused to let his soldiers plunder the city. The turmoil led to a rapid turnover of rulers in the Gallo-Roman realm and the loss of Spain to the central Roman Empire. An unresolved mystery of his brief "reign" lasting, at most, two months, is the location of his mint: Laelianus' rare coinage is neatly engraved and struck, with excellent portraiture, suggesting it was produced at a regular mint. Mainz, however, had no mint facilities, and if his coinage was produced at Colonia Agrippensis (Colonge) or Treveri (Trier), his revolt must have extended to those cities as well as Mainz.
The Gallo-Roman usurper Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus was apparently a high-ranking officer under Postumus at the city of Moguntiacum (modern Mainz, Germany) on the Rhine, home base of Legio XXII Primigenia. In February or March of AD 269, his legion proclaimed him emperor in revolt against Postumus. His family name of Ulpius suggests a distant connection to the Spanish imperial line of Trajan, perhaps supported by his use of Hispania as a reverse type on one of his gold aurei. His revolt against Postumus apparently came after his soldiers repulsed a German invasion, and may have had the tacit support of the legitimate Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Postumus, however, quickly placed Moguntiacum under siege and Laelianus was soon killed by his own soldiers, but Postumus was himself slain when he refused to let his soldiers plunder the city. The turmoil led to a rapid turnover of rulers in the Gallo-Roman realm and the loss of Spain to the central Roman Empire. An unresolved mystery of his brief "reign" lasting, at most, two months, is the location of his mint: Laelianus' rare coinage is neatly engraved and struck, with excellent portraiture, suggesting it was produced at a regular mint. Mainz, however, had no mint facilities, and if his coinage was produced at Colonia Agrippensis (Colonge) or Treveri (Trier), his revolt must have extended to those cities as well as Mainz.