Uranius Antoninus, Usurper

325, Lot: 429. Estimate $750. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 10.52 g, 6h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding [wreath] in beak; S–C below wings, ЄMI[CA] in exergue. Baldus –; Prieur 1029 (citing 2). Near VF, toned, corroded. Very rare.

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.