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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

The Usurper Uranius Antoninus

286, Lot: 253. Estimate $1000.
Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.24 g, 6h). Laureate, draped, and curiassed bust right, seen from behind / Eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; S-C below wings, ЄMICA in exergue. Baldus 5 (same dies); Prieur 1029 (citing 2). Near VF, darkly toned, rough surfaces. Very rare.


From the R. D. Frederick Collection.

Uranius Antoninus is unknown from the ancient literary sources, although Zosimus perhaps confuses this usurper with two usurpers he names as Uranius and Antoninus during the reign of Severus Alexander. He established his government at Emesa, probably in response to repeated Persian attacks rather than as a challenge to Rome. In any event, it appears he was finally subdued when Valerian marched to recover the East.