The Usurper Uranius Antoninus

426, Lot: 354. Estimate $1000. Sold for $950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. Æ (32mm, 23.51 g, 6h). Dated CY 565 (AD 253/4). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Baetyl of El-Gabal, flanked by parasols, within hexastyle temple; crescent in pediment, ЄΞΦ (date) in exergue. Baldus 36 (OI/R4); R. Delbrueck, “Uranius of Emesa,” NC (1948), Series I, 2; SNG Hunterian 3174; BMC 24. Fine, earthen black surfaces. Rare.

Uranius Antoninus is unknown from the ancient literary sources, although Zosimus perhaps confuses him with two usurpers he names as Uranius and Antoninus during the reign of Severus Alexander. Uranius Antoninus 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.