Savoca Coins
Online Auction 209 | Silver 28 Apr 2024
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Postumus, Usurper in Gaul AD 260-269. Cologne or Treveri (?)
Billon Antoninianus
22 mm, 4,03 g
IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / NEPTVNO REDVCI, Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and trident; prow to left.
Good Very Fine
RIC V 76 (Lugdunum); Cohen 205.
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus, who met his end in 269 in Mogontiacum (Mainz), was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire against Emperor Gallienus and the founder and first emperor of the so-called Gallic Empire (Imperium Galliarum), reigning from 260 to 269. Little is known about Postumus' early years, but it is believed he originated from Gaul, hailed from humble origins, rose through the ranks of the army to high positions, and possibly even became governor of one of the two Germanic provinces.
With Emperor Gallienus occupied in the East dealing with the Sassanids after the capture of his father, Emperor Valerian, at the Battle of Edessa, he left his son Saloninus as Caesar with trusted commanders as advisors, including Postumus, to protect the constantly threatened Rhine frontier. Following an incursion by Alamanni and Franks, units led by Postumus intercepted Frankish plunderers laden with booty before they could flee across the Rhine to their homeland. A conflict arose over the distribution of this loot among soldiers, leading to a confrontation with Saloninus and the Praetorian Prefect Silvanus, who intended to appropriate it for the state treasury. Subsequently, Postumus besieged Colonia Agrippina (Cologne), the residence of Silvanus and Saloninus. After his troops stormed the city following a brief siege, both were murdered, and Postumus was proclaimed Augustus. Later, Postumus erected a triumphal arch to commemorate this victory.
Billon Antoninianus
22 mm, 4,03 g
IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / NEPTVNO REDVCI, Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and trident; prow to left.
Good Very Fine
RIC V 76 (Lugdunum); Cohen 205.
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus, who met his end in 269 in Mogontiacum (Mainz), was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire against Emperor Gallienus and the founder and first emperor of the so-called Gallic Empire (Imperium Galliarum), reigning from 260 to 269. Little is known about Postumus' early years, but it is believed he originated from Gaul, hailed from humble origins, rose through the ranks of the army to high positions, and possibly even became governor of one of the two Germanic provinces.
With Emperor Gallienus occupied in the East dealing with the Sassanids after the capture of his father, Emperor Valerian, at the Battle of Edessa, he left his son Saloninus as Caesar with trusted commanders as advisors, including Postumus, to protect the constantly threatened Rhine frontier. Following an incursion by Alamanni and Franks, units led by Postumus intercepted Frankish plunderers laden with booty before they could flee across the Rhine to their homeland. A conflict arose over the distribution of this loot among soldiers, leading to a confrontation with Saloninus and the Praetorian Prefect Silvanus, who intended to appropriate it for the state treasury. Subsequently, Postumus besieged Colonia Agrippina (Cologne), the residence of Silvanus and Saloninus. After his troops stormed the city following a brief siege, both were murdered, and Postumus was proclaimed Augustus. Later, Postumus erected a triumphal arch to commemorate this victory.