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 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,014 |
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Here's a coin I didnt think I'd be picking up this side of Christmas....Thanks Finn235! Marcus Aurelius Marius... Supposedly a Black smith by trade who joined the Roman army eventually achieving officer status. After the murder of the Emperor Postumus at Moguntiacum the army declared him the new Emperor...He quickly moved the army to Trier where he was eventually killed by Postumus' Praetorian Prefect Victorinus in 269AD after only 2-3 months of reign... MARIUS. Romano-Gallic Emperor, 269 AD. IMP CM AVR MARIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. VICTORIA AVG, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm. RIC#17...Mint Trier? The coin has lovely detail in hand  I'd Love to see some 'Usurper' coins.......Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1120 Posts |
Very nice indeed, great detail on one of the more rarer Gallic Emperors. Finn always comes through when in need.  Edited by travelcoin
11/13/2019 6:38 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Mariuses are very few and far between. Congratulations: always an opportunistic pick up, this one in reasonably nice condition. Legend has it that he was 'done through', with a sword of his own manufacture. Being a Roman Emperor or a 'wannabe' Emperor, was a somewhat unhealthy and questionable career choice ! |
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Thanks guys!.... This is quite a big hole filled for me...Although all coins of his are quite rare the OP coin type is probably the most common...And believe me it looks much better in hand... Quote:
Legend has it that he was 'done through', with a sword of his own manufacture. Also its said that he only ruled for 2 or 3 days which seems unlikely due to the number of coin types minted unless news of his death didnt reach the mints for a while, which could be plausible given the utter chaos at the time.... Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
Very nice pick up
Always wanted one but they are difficult to win at auction
Seems there is always someone willing to go deep !
I wondered about the shortness of the reign too
It has been suggested that Marius was well funded and most of the coins were made previous to the big party
Then after all the bribes had been distributed and the party ended much too soon
anyone holding these things wanted to make them disappear fast lest they implicate themselves by having his coins in their pocket
But it is speculation
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Valued Member
United States
80 Posts |
I really love the ancient depictions of Victory on their coins. This has become an area of collecting for me. I also have a full back tattoo of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Victory that stands before William T. Sherman in Manhattan.
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Thanks! Quote:
I wondered about the shortness of the reign too Yes Some ancient historical scholars even stated he reigned for only 2 or 3 days...Moguntiacum (Mainz) is approx 90 miles from Treverorum (Trier) so would've taken a legion a little over 3 days to move from one to the other and on top they probably spent a few days at least ransacking Moguntiacum before marching? Not seen any Usurper coins posted  ....Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I have always been curious that some emperors, Like Marius and Aemilian, who only ruled for two to three months, have coins that are very rare and expensive.
Then there is Quintillus, who was on the throne the same amount of time, but his coins don't carry any where near the same price tags.
I would assume that not being a usurper, Quintillus produced a lot more coins during his short reign?
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Quote:
I would assume that not being a usurper, Quintillus produced a lot more coins during his short reign? .....Yes I agree...My personal opinion is that Marius probably only reigned for arond 4-6 weeks whereas Quintillus probably around 5-6 months,this can be seen in the number of mint locations running for Quintillus, epecially at Rome, Mediolanum and Siscia.... |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,014 |
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Posted 11/13/2019 10:34 pm
