Romano-Gallic Victorinus AD 269-271 Billon Double Denarius / Pietas NGC (050)

ROMANO-GALLIC EMPIRE

CERTIFIED BY NGC

 Victorinus - AD 269-271 BI
Double-Denarius

The Romano-Gallic Empire was a
relatively small territory that broke away from the northernmost region of the
Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century, and functioned as a
separate state for the short period of A.D. 260-274. Marcus Piavonius Victorinus
was ruler of the Romano-Gallic Empire from A.D. 269-271. This Double Denarius
was struck from a metallic alloy called billon, a bronze base metal with a light
silver wash.

Obv: depicts the image of Emperor Victorinus, bearded, draped and cuirassed,
facing right, embellished with a traditional radiate crown, surrounded by the
inscription "IMP C PIAV VICTORINVS AVG" (Imperator Caesar Piavonius Victorinus).


Rev: Pietas standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding
box of incense. Pietas, translated variously as "duty", "religiosity" or
"religious behavior","loyalty","devotion", or "filial piety" (English "piety"
derives from the Latin), was one of the chief virtues among the ancient Romans . 

Marcus Piavonius Victorinus was emperor in the Gallic provinces from 268 to 270
or 269 to 271, following the brief reign of Marius. He was murdered by a jealous
husband whose wife he tried to seduce.



Hailing from Gaul, Victorinus was born to a family of great wealth, and was a
soldier under Postumus, the first of the so-called Gallic emperors. He showed
considerable ability, as he held the title of tribunus praetorianorum (tribune
of the praetorians) in 266/267, and rose swiftly to become co-consul with
Postumus in 268. It is also possible that Postumus then elevated him to the post
of praetorian prefect.



After engineering the death of Marius, Victorinus was declared emperor by the
troops located at Augusta Treverorum in the fall of 269. His principal concern
was to prevent the western provinces from submitting to the central authority of
the Roman Empire, a fact made clear to him from the first few weeks when only
the provinces of Gaul, Germania and Britain recognised him. Hispania deserted
the Gallic Empire and declared its loyalty to Claudius Gothicus. Claudius then
sent his trusted general Placidianus to south-east Gaul with instructions to
bring over as many of the wavering cities as he could. Very quickly Placidianus
captured Cularo (ancient Grenoble), but did not proceed any further.



The presence of Placidianus inspired the city of Augustodunum Haeduorum to
abandon Victorinus and declare its intention to declare for Claudius Gothicus.
This forced Victorinus to march south and besiege it, where it fell after seven
months, after which Victorinus' troops plundered and destroyed the city.
Victorinus returned to Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium in triumph. It remains
a mystery just why Claudius did not authorise Placidianus to go to the relief of
Augustodunum Haeduorum; however, it is speculated that Claudius, who was fully
engaged either in Italy against the Alamanni or in the Balkans against the
Goths, did not wish to open a second theatre of operations in Gaul, which would
not only have involved a major military effort, but would also have required
Claudius to assume responsibility for the defense of the Rhine frontier had he
been successful. There is evidence to suggest that Claudius was having some
difficulties in the East, which also occupied his attention.



Victorinus was murdered at Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium in early 271 by
Attitianus, one of his officers, whose wife Victorinus had supposedly seduced.
Since the motive was personal and not political, Victorinus' mother, Victoria
(or Vitruvia), was able to continue to hold power after the death of Victorinus
and she arranged for his deification and, after considerable payment to the
troops, the appointment of Tetricus I as his successor. Another military
commander appears to have been proclaimed as the emperor Domitianus II, but was
soon eliminated.



Victorinus is listed among the Thirty Tyrants in the Historia Augusta. The
(dubious) Historia Augusta equally has a short description of Victorinus Junior,
allegedly the son of Victorinus, who was appointed emperor by his family the day
his father was murdered, and would have been killed immediately afterwards by
the troops. The Historia Augusta also says that both father and son were buried
near Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium in marble tombs.

 Please check out my other listings and we will be happy to combine in one package !

YOU WILL RECEIVED THE SAME COIN AS PICTURED.

ALL COINS ARE AUTHENTIC AS DESCRIBED.