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Roman Empire. Claudius Gothicus. Aureus 268-270, AV 4.16g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:28,000.00 CHF Estimated At:35,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Claudius Gothicus. Aureus 268-270, AV 4.16g.
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The Roman Empire. Claudius Gothicus, 268–270. Aureus 268-270, AV 4.16g. IMP C CLAVDI–VS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. GENIVS–XERCI Genius, naked but for cloak on l. shoulder, standing l., holding patera and cornucopiae. C –, cf. 114 (antoninianus). RIC –, cf. 48 (antoninianus). Calicó –. Apparently unique and unrecorded. Possibly the finest aureus of Claudius II in existence and one of the very few not from the Corsica hoard. An unobtrusive nick on neck, otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc. The final year of Gallienus’ reign was not altogether different from any of the fourteen years before: a Gothic invasion and a rebellion within the army, both of which had to be addressed simultaneously. In this case the difference was in the magnitude of the events, for we are told that the Gothic invasion of late 267 or early 268 involved 2,000 vessels and 320,000 soldiers. After the Goths had pillaged Greece, Thrace, Macedon, and even parts of Asia Minor, they suffered a crushing defeat near Naïssus where perhaps as many as 50,000 of them died in a single day. The victory is traditionally given to Claudius II ‘Gothicus’, but many scholars now attribute it to Gallienus. If the defeat was the work of Gallienus, then he was not afforded the opportunity to follow it up, because a rebellion at Milan by the commander Aureolus commanded his attention. This was a dangerous situation because Aureolus had taken control of Milan, one of the empire’s most strategic cities, and had allied himself with the Gallic rebel Postumus. (We are certain of this because during his revolt Aureolus struck coins at Milan in Postumus’ name.) By the time Gallienus arrived in northern Italy, the siege of Milan seems to have been initiated by the commander of the Dalmatian Cavalry, the future emperor Claudius II. Upon arriving in northern Italy, Gallienus assumed command of the siege. His reasons were certainly personal: Aureolus was a trusted commander whom Gallienus had already forgiven for an earlier revolt, perhaps in 262. Regardless, the takeover must have upset Claudius, who probably suspected Gallienus had arrived at the pivotal moment to capture the glory for himself. Claudius then conspired with other officers, including the future emperor Aurelian, to murder Gallienus. The deed was achieved as Gallienus emerged from his tent upon hearing a false alarm indicating a counter-offensive. After the promise of a liberal bribe, the soldiers hailed Claudius their new emperor, and he continued the siege until Aureolus had been ousted and executed.