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Exceptional Pacatian Antoninianus

783316. Sold For $17500

Pacatian. Usurper, circa AD 248-249. AR Antoninianus (20mm, 4.55 g, 6h). Viminacium mint. 2nd emission. IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F AV, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PAX AETERNA, Pax standing left, holding branch in outstretched right hand and transverse scepter in left hand. RIC IV 5; Szaivert, Beginn 8; RSC 6. Good VF, minor porosity. Extremely rare.



Very little is known of the usurper Tiberius Claudius Marinus Pacatianus, who seized power in Upper Moesia in AD 248. Pacatian was likely killed by his own troops shortly after he seized control. Most of our information about Pacatian comes from his coinage. Viminacium is the most probable site for his mint, and a comparison with the local aes coinage shows remarkable similarity of style. Seven different reverses were used on the antoniniani of Pacatian -- Concordia, Felicitas, Fides, Fortuna, Pax, Roma and Victory -- all common themes in the third century. Such a variety of reverse types would suggest a large issue of coins, though today all coins of Pacatian are very rare, with only about 100 specimens of all varieties known.