Roman Usurpers and their Coins

[@skuul666]

One of my most treasured coins is an antoninianus of Laelianus. He was a usurper against Postumus in 269 AD, he himself a usurper as mentioned in the video. Laelianus reigned for ~3 months from Mogontiacum, before being killed by either his own troops or those of Postumus. However, as Postumus didn't allow his troops to sack the city after Laelianus' fall, he himself was killed by his own troops. Afterwards, Marius was raised as emperor of the Gallic empire, but he also only lasted for 2-3 months. Thus, 269 AD was a Year of the Four emperors for the Gallic empire, with Victorinus ultimately gaining power. The coins of Laelianus are the most difficult of the Gallic Empire to obtain, apart from those of the obscure Domitian II (but these are only in museums).

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

Sell a kidney before you ever contemplate selling that

[@skuul666]

Well it allready cost me a kidney haha@@theeccentrictripper3863

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Wow, Laelianus!!

[@tedlawrence4189]

Fascinating account of this complicated era of Roman coinage.

[@jubby4533]

Great video!

[@flamingosuites]

Nice collection man. Thank for sharing, it's interrsting!

[@christopherevans2445]

I really like that Quietus. Samosata produced some of the best coins during the crisis of 3rd century

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Its an interesting coin in a historical sense as well. Imagine the number of troops and the flurry of activity that often happened around this border city during wartime.

[@christopherevans2445]

@@ClassicalNumismatics Yes. I love the eastern mints. I have a Gallienus from that mint, and the size and silver content is amazing considering the era and types of his coins from Europe. Antioch, Samosata, these were the best mints during the crisis. I would assume that they were so well made for the troops yes, but it also was because the east was Richer and needed good coins to trade with there eastern neighbors

[@curiobill]

Thanks for your video! I have a Postumus coin and the details on that coin are the finest I’ve ever seen on a Roman coin….all for about $25!

[@sandrojones8068]

Exactly, I have 3 of them and they are gorgeous. What colour is yours, I know they are meant to be of better silver quality than gallienus but one of mine looks brown, while the others are silver.

[@marcvsivnivsbrvtvs]

At some point Postumus lost control over Hispania and its silver mines. Since that the silver content of his coins dropped massively.@@sandrojones8068

[@GordonGrant-o1h]

Thanks Leo,I have a few ,one being Marius and a few who declared independence in Britain.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Postumus is really very good value for money!

[@skuul666]

For silver(ed) coins, Postumus has the best price/quality ratio in my opinion, followed closely by Gordian III. For bronzes, the Constantinian dynastic issues probably have best price/quality ratio

[@TieisAwsom]

We need more videos about usurper/rebellion coinage, they're so awesome to learn about!

[@loukithib6346]

Good Afternoon ! I do my thesis on the coinage of Roman usurpers ! It's very fun to see some interest on the topic of Romun usurpers !

[@timoverdijk3176]

Idd like to read it when its done

[@loukithib6346]

@@timoverdijk3176 Thank your ! It’s the beginning but when It’s finish, I will share my research ! 😁

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Of course people would be interested on usurpers! Who doesnt like a good Roman intrigue and drama.

[@Toverneger]

Interesting! I too am writing my thesis on Roman coinage. My first attempt was about the anonymous coinage of 68 AD, and I am currently writing my thesis on the iconography on Postumus' coinage. Usurpers' coinage is very interesting, since they had to put more care into sculpting their image and legitimising their power and claims.

[@loukithib6346]

@@Toverneger Yes ! I totally agree with you ! It’s a great subject ! My thesis is on the coinage of the usurpers of the 4th century (Maxentius, Domitius Alexander, Magnentius, Magnus Maximus etc.) I compare the coinage between each others and with the coinage of the « legitimate » emperors. If you want to exchange one day, It wil be with pleasure! 😁 Merry christmas to you ! 🎄 P.S. The new RIC on Postumus is very interesting !

[@ivdeadelendaest]

Super interesting video, would love a part 2!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

There are plenty of usurpers for a part 2! Ill do another episode once I get a hold on some footage :)

[@philipwagner7929]

I enjoyed this episode very much ! Very informative and well narrated. Nice examples of Roman coins of the period too. Thank you !

[@donklaser217]

Enjoyed the video very much. I recently purchased a follis of Procopius to add to my usurper collection.

[@caracallaavg]

Excellent showcase! I, personally, like the coins of separatist Carausius. He also tried to outdo the official issues in metal quality and used literature references in the legends

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Once I get a hold of coins struck by Carausius and Allectus, I'll certainly make a video on them.

[@klausbiegerfac.cs.naturale1392]

Once I tried to get examples of all emperors of the gaelic empire but coins of Laelianus and Marius ar much to expensive for me. It was easier and cheaper to get the british usurpers Carausius and Allectus. I don't know if you would count Clodius Albinus as usurper or real emperor. His coins are normally in the financial limit - at least for me. Aureolus was a curious usuper who eddited coins in the name of Posthumus trying to ally himself with the gaelic empire and can sometimes be found still for more or less afordable prices. Along with those you have show in your video I think that these are all of the "accessible" usurpors.

[@Cheemsarion]

Interestingly enough, Procopius was indeed related Julian. Procopius’ descendant become Western Roman Emperor, his name was Anthemius.

[@wertinas]

Thank you for this video! I absolutely LOVE the coins of usurpers and am intrigued by their history, unfortunately a lot of their coins are way out of my price range.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Indeed, sadly many are expensive. But hopefully in this video helps people know which ones can be found for a fair price.

[@elijahdevoe717]

I hadn’t realized how many Usurper coins I have. Of course I have several Postumus, Allectus, Magnetius, Clodius Albinus…… but my favorite usurper coin is my * AUREOLUS *

[@amandajones8841]

As a Welsh history nerd, a Magnus Maximus coin is on my dream list. He's a historic heroic figure (by the name Macsen Wledig) in Wales.

[@glasgowjohn6372]

Always an education on history I never knew 😊!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you! Im very happy to see people enjoyed these videos :)

[@thetradingfarmer]

Very interesting this history is🎉

[@numiscanal8018]

Que calidad de monedas, son maravillosas. Me facina esta temporada de la historia de Roma ! Y que variedad de monedas, mas hermosas unas que otras ! Felicidades una vez mas por este esplendido video, tanto en produccion como en fabuloso contenido !

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Muchas gracias! Si, ya estoy buscando videos de mas usurpadores para un episodio 2!

[@marcvsivnivsbrvtvs]

I have an antoninianus of Postumus with Pax on the reverse. I like some irony on Roman coins. Like my denarius of Severus Alexander that has Spes on the reverse. There was no hope for that young lad in the end.

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

It feels like a hail mary when I see her on the reverse, like the Emperor or the minter is thinking, "Alright things are going to hell, let's petition Spes, it can't make it worse"

[@marcvsivnivsbrvtvs]

That's a very good point. We often focus on the aspect of imperial propaganda on those coins. But it's not all that. I really love Roman coins with personifications on their reverse. While it might seem mundane for some, those figures were filled with spiritual and symbolic meaning for the pagan people of Rome. By looking at such coins, we can get a glimpse at the roots of Roman identity. @@theeccentrictripper3863

[@rodrigodepierola]

Magnus Maximus sounds like a fake name or a character on a video game.😂

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Magnus Maximus Biggus Dickus Ultron Incredibilis

[@allanlangdale1028]

Great video, as always. It made me wonder, did Geta issue coinage? If so, it must be exceedingly rare as it would have been destroyed.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Geta issued lots of coins! I've made a video on the Severans where I show one of his last issues.

[@alfons5220]

Hey, I was wondering what that map at 4:27 was and where you found it :)

[@mattperry5412]

I've found quite a few rare Roman coins a Claudius denari with bust of a hound Nero on reverse in very good condition again some rare one of carrausius one being an unusual depiction of pax on reverse with pax holding victory in her pal few of postumus one of Marius the black smith and a stunning siliqua of flavours victor

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thats amazing! Denarii of Claudius are very rare, in fact, and very sought after by collectors, in any state of conservation!

[@billyli6138]

Recently got a Aurelian and valabalus antoninianus with much silvered remaining from antioch mint.

[@sandrojones8068]

I have that too. Really interested to see.

[@sandrojones8068]

I love Roman coins and I LOVE POSTUMUS I HAVE 3 COINS OF HIM 2 OF TETRICUS 1 OF TETRICUS 2ND

[@marcvsivnivsbrvtvs]

How about Victorinus?

[@sandrojones8068]

@@marcvsivnivsbrvtvs don't think i have one

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Get a nice, silvered Victorinus!

[@Toverneger]

2 more and you have all 5 of them! Victorinus is doable, but I fear getting a Marius will be significantly more difficult.

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

No usurpers but I've got one would-be emperor that wasn't, Crispus, super detailed portrait with that miniaturized style with the shield present they played with here and there. That Postumus is a beauty, and the reverse on Magnus Maximus' is a lot more active than usual, but I figure with a name like that you probably should be raising the Republic with one hand while carrying Victory with the other so it works well.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

I should make a video on Crispus one day. Not only his coinage is quite interesting (much more interesting than that of his half-brothers) but also because he is one of these cases of "What if" in history. Imagine how different the Constantinian dynasty would have turned out if we had an Emperor Crispus

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

@@ClassicalNumismatics As a guy who cleans coins that first bit is the understatement of the century lol. Definitely the best what-if of that era outside of Julian's success or failure since he was all but tapped for greatness and already had a decent resume beyond good connections. A strong empire handed over in one piece from an elder Constantine to a matured Crispus with the consent and adoration of the elites, army, and people absolutely derails the course of history as it played out in our timeline.

[@darenrobertson9199]

Procopius was ripped apart by being attached to two bent trees, which were then released. I know death is death, but I feel like being beheaded would have been preferable.

[@loukithib6346]

It’s one version of the story! For Ammianus Marcellinus, a author that live during the usurpation, Procopius was beheaded and his head was send in Gaul.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Ouch!

[@spartanumismatics8165]

I just won two usurpers in a auction. Postumus and vabalathus

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Amazing! Probably the most interesting usurpers out there, with plenty of archaeological material making reference to them.

[@janiskar7892]

👍👍👍👍💪

[@johnnyb3126]

👍🙂😁

[@joshuajones9035]

I love ancient coins, but i have had to stop collecting them, there is far too many fakes out there and any coin that you can be confident in being real is almost always way to pricy comparatively, you end up paying hundreds of dollars for small bronze pieces and silver and gold pieces can be thousands of dollars. it just seems more lucrative to buy large amounts of silver bullion than one small bronze...

[@ziaforge]

Thats why I like to buy uncleaned lots covered in mud. You are guaranteed authenticity but the quality of the coins will be degraded but readable most of the time!