Magnia Urbica

Wife of Carinus

Magnia Urbica was the wife of Carinus and the mother of Nigrinian. According to Historiae Augusta, her husband had no less than nine wives and was a bisexual corrupter of youth. This is most likely propaganda put forth by Diocletian. However, where there is smoke there is fire. Her husband was slain in battle at the moment he was to be victorious over Diocletian. The officers are said to have murdered the emperor for his seduction of their wives. Magnia Urbica was the only wife for which coinage was struck and very well may have been the only wife. Whether or not Carinus carried on with other’s wives may in fact be true given the events of his death.

Magnia Urbica died or was murdered about the same time as her husband. The memories of Carus, Carinus,Numerian and herself were officially condemned by the state and their inscriptions erased from Rome.

Monetary System

Mints: Alexandria, Antioch, Cyzicus, Lugdunum, Rome, Siscia, Tripolis

Obverse Legends:

MAGNIA VRBICA AVG
MAGN VRBICA AVG

DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius (3.54 grams)
Æ Quinarius (3.54 grams)
Æ As

Carinus

283 – 285 AD

Marcus Aurelius Carinus was the elder son of the Emperor Carus born about 249 – 250 AD. During the spring of 253 AD, Carinus was given the rank of Caesar shortly after his father’s accession to the throne. Carinus remained behind in Rome in the West when his father and younger brother, Numerian set out for the Eastern frontier. Carinus was then left in charge of the administration of the Western provinces. Meanwhile, his father had been successful in driving back the Persian threat in the East. However, before he could expand on his victory, Carus was struck dead by lightening. Carinus and his brother were raised to the rank of Augustus during the late summer of 283 AD.

His brother Numerian was slowly making his way back to Rome with his legions. In November 284 AD, he was discovered murdered in his litter. This then left Carinus as sole emperor of Rome.

The death of Carus and Numerian prompted the attempted rebellion in the Balkins by late 284 AD. A usurper appeared, Marcus Aurelius Julianus, who was proclaimed emperor in Pannonia. Carinus set out in early 285AD to meet the challenge of this new threat that was now advancing upon Italy. Carinus confronted Julianus near Verona and soundly defeated this usurper. However, a more serious threat was now coming from the army of his brother. Diocletian who was commander at the time, was proclaimed emperor. He had been the former governor of Moesia and commander of the Praetorian body guard. Carinus move to meet this new threat from Diocletian and the Eastern legions. Carinus’ forces outnumbered those of Diocletian and at the moment when victory was near, Carinus was was murdered by one of his own officers.

According to Historiae Augusta, Carinus was a bisexual corrupter of youth, had nine wives and forced himself upon the wives of others. This is most likely propaganda put forth by Diocletian. Nonetheless, there is perhaps some truth to this story. Carinus was murdered for his seduction of the wives of some of his soldiers. The account of his having nine wives is most likely untrue since Magnia Urbica was the only wife for which coinage was struck. No doubt, he was not a well liked man. Eutropius Breviarium (IX.19) also states that he was the seducer of the wives of nobles and that he was a cruel and vindictive person.

Carus, Carinus, Numerian and Magnia Urbica were officially condemned after their deaths. Their inscriptions were also erased from Rome. Thus, with the death of Carinus, the empire fell into the hands of Diocletian who would make the most bold reforms ever in hopes of bringing to an end, the past 50 years of crisis and turmoil within the empire.

Monetary System

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Ticinum; Siscia; Cyzicus; Antioch; Tripolis; unidentified mint.

Obverse Legends:

as Caesar

CARINVS NOBIL CAES
IMP CM AVR CARINVS NOB C
M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES

as Augustus

IMP CARINVS P F AVG
IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG
IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG

DENOMINATIONS

As Caesar

AU Aureus (4.91 grams)
Æ HEAVY Antoninianus
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius
Æ Quinarius
Æ As
Æ Semis

As Augustus

AU Aureus (4.31 grams)
Æ HEAVY Antoninianus
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius
Æ Quinarius
Æ As
Æ Semis

Numerian

As Caesar 282 – 283 AD
As Augustus 283 – 284 AD

Marcus Aurelius Numerianus was the younger son of the Emperor Carus. Numerian was born about 254 AD, and was given the rank of Caesar soon after his father’s accession along with his brother Carinus.

Early in 283 AD, Numerian accompanied his father to the East to deal with the invasion of the Persians once again. In September or October of 283 AD, Numerian and his brother were raised to the rank of Augustus. His father was initially successful against the Persians but died suddenly when he was struck by lightening. Thus, Numerian found himself in charge of the Eastern legions.

Numerian was making his way back to Rome very slowly. When the procession neared Heraclea in Thrace by November 284AD, Numerian was discovered dead – murdered while in his litter. Arrius Aper, who was the praetorian prefect and father-in-law of the late emperor, was accused of the crime and was executed byDiocletian, the commander of the imperial bodyguards.

Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor and marched the Eastern legions towards Rome to confront Carinus. In the battle that ensued, Diocletian was outnumbered and it appeared that Carinus would be victorious. However, Carinus was murdered by his own soldiers for seducing their wives. Thus the Roman Empire fell into the hands of Diocletian. The memories of Carus, Carinus and Numerian were officially condemned by the state and their inscriptions ordered to be erased.

Monetary System

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Ticinum; Siscia; Cyzicus; Antioch; Tripolis

Obverse Legends:

IMP NVMERIANVS AVG
IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG
IMP C NVMERIANVS P F AVG

DENOMINATIONS

As Caesar

AU Aureus (4.93 grams)
Æ Antoninianus

As Augustus

AU Aureus (4.93 grams)
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius
Æ Quinarius
Æ As

Posthumous Coinage by Carinus

Æ Antoninianus

Carus

282 – 283 AD

Marcus Aurelius Carus was the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard under Probus. Upon the Emperor’s death, Carus was proclaimed Emperor by the troops. He immediately conferred the rank of Caesar on his two sonsCarinus and Numerian, and set out on an expedition against the Persians. Numerian accompanied his father to the East leaving Carinus behind to govern the Western provinces.

Carus and Carinus AE Antoninianus

Carus was successful in defeating the Persian forces driving them back once again in complete disorder. However, before Carus could begin to follow up on his victory, he was killed by lightning in his camp near Ctesiphon late in 283 AD. Thus, Carus was succeeded by his two sons.

Monetary System

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Ticinum; Siscia; Cyzicus; Antioch; Tripolis; unidentified mint.

Obverse Legends:

IMP CARVS P F AVG.
IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG

DENOMINATIONS

AU Double Aureus
AU Aureus
Æ HEAVY Antoninianus 4.7-4.9 grams
Æ Antoninianus (3.5-3.8 grams)
Æ Antoninianus (Jugate bust with Carinus)
Æ Denarius (2.4 grams)
Æ Denarius (with Carinus)
Æ Quinarius (1.94 grams)
Æ As (5.29 grams)
Æ Semis
Æ Tetradrachm, Egypt (8.27 grams)

Posthumous Coinage Issued by Carinus

Æ Antoninianus (3.25-4.27 grams)

Saturninus

280 AD

Saturninus was a senior officer under Probus in Syria. According to Historiae Augusta, Saturninus led a short-lived revolt, which began with his proclamation as Augustus by the troops under his command in Alexandria Egypt. At first, we are told that Saturninus declined the honor. However, later in about 280AD, Saturninus appears to have proclaimed himself Augustus in Syria after a change of heart. The rebellion that was unleashed by this bold political step soon failed. Saturninus was murdered presumably by a faction of his guard who either remained loyal to Probus or those fearful of defeat due to the lack of support from other regions in the Empire.

For many years, the Thirty Tyrants of the Historiae Augustus were believed to have been inaccurate historically. Some have argued that many of these so called tyrants of the lat 3rd century were ficticous. With the discovery of the coinage of Saturninus, there can be no doubt that the Thirty Tyrants may at least be far more accurate that originally surmised.

Monetary System

Note: Only two gold aurei are known with both examples being discovered in Egypt along with about 20 aurei of Probus in the hoard known as Ben-ha. One example resides in the French Bibliotheque Nationale collection. The second specimen, pictured here, remains in private collector hands. This unique gold aureus is the most valuable of all Roman gold coins attesting to the rarity of the Emperor as a result of his very short-lived reign.

Mints: Alexandria

Obverse Legend:

IMP C IVL SATVRNINVS AVG

DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (4.61 grammes)

*(Note: no silver or bronze coinage attributed to this emperor have ever been discovered.)

Bonosus

British usurper circa 280 AD

Bonosus was a general under the Emperor Probus. He was of British descent and fought unsuccessfully against the Germans. Bonosus was proclaimed Emperor at Cologne following his defeat by the Germans perhaps out of fear about what Probus’ reaction might be to his failure. Probus indeed marched against Bonosus who was once again defeated.

Monetary System

Mints: British (unknown)

Obverse Legends:

M C BONOSVS AV

DENOMINATIONS

Æ Antoninianus

Probus

276-282 AD

(M. Aurelius Probus). Born at Sirmium in 232 AD, Probus adopted the profession of arms and gained rapid promotion until, by the reign of Aurelian, he had become one of the leading generals of the Empire. Soon after the death of Tacitus he was proclaimed emperor by his troops and, following the murder of Florianus, he became undisputed master of the Roman world. His reign was notable not only for his considerable military successes, but also for his attempt to restore the economic life of the Empire. To this end he introduced viticulture into several of the western provinces, and had he been able to carry out all his plans the Roman State might have recovered much of its ancient power and prestige. However, in the autumn of 282 AD he was murdered at Sirmium by a band of mutinous soldiers who were enraged at having been employed on public works instead of military duties.

Monetary System

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Ticinum; Siscia, Serdica; Cyzicus; Antioch; Tripolis

Obverse Legends:

PROBVS.P.F.AVG.
IMP C PROBVS P P AVG
IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG
IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
VIRTVS PROBI AVG

DENOMINATIONS

AU Double Aureus (8.2 grams)
AU Aureus (6.25 grams)
AU Quinarius (2.53 grams)
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius
Æ Quinarius
Æ Dupondius
Æ As
Æ Semis
Æ Tetradrachm (Egypt)

Florianus

276 AD
Half-brother of Tacitus

Marcus Annins Florianus is siad to have been the half-brother of Tacitus and upon his death, Florianus, Prefect of the Praetorian Guard at the time, assumed the throne with the support of the Senate. Florianus immediately set out to deal with the troublesome tribe of the Heruli. While on the verge of victory, the Eastern provinces declared their commander, Probus, emperor. Florianus broke off his attack and marched south to confront this new usurper.

While Florianus’ legions clearly outnumbered those of Probus. The two armies met near Tarsus in Cilicia, but Florianus’ European troops were soon ravaged by disease and the harsh climate compared to that of Europe. For some strange reason, Probus’ soldiers managed to convince some of Florianus’ officers to support their commander against their own. With the summer heat being extremely strong at the time, perhaps the men preferred the easy way out rather than a full confrontation. Florianus was murdered by his own troops leaving Probus victorius and the new undisputed emperor of Rome. Florianus’ reign was a mere 88 days. He had become the third emperor to be murdered in less than one year.

Monetary System

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Ticinum; Siscia; Serdica; Cyzicus

Obverse Legends:

IMP C FLORIANVS AVG
IMP C M AN FLORIANVS AVG
IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P AVG
IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P F AVG
IMP C M ANN FLORIANVS AVG
VIRTVS FLORIANI AVG

DENOMINATIONS

AU DOUBLA Aureus (6.62 grams)
AU Aureus (4.50 grams)
Æ Antoninianus (3.68 grams)
AR Denarius (white metal)
Æ Denarius
Æ As

Tacitus

275-276 AD

There is little reliable information about Marcus Claudius Tacitus. It does appear that after the murder of Aurelian, the soldiers of the Illyrian army, wishing to dissociate themselves from the assassins, sent a request to Rome that the Senate should nominate the new ruler, and pledged themselves to support their choice. After some delay, the Senate selected Tacitus, an elderly Senator who claimed descent from the great historian by the same name. Tacitus was thereby proclaimed Augustus.

One of the first acts of the new Emperor was to have Aurelian deified. He also apointed Aurelian’s half-brother, Florian, to be his Prefect of the Praetorian Guard.

Tacitus was seventy-five years of age at the time he assumed the throne. The new ruler soon joined the army in Thrace with Florian at his side. Together they succeeded in repelling a Gothic invasion of Asia Minor. For this great victory, Tacitus took the title “Gothicus Maximus.” However, the exertions of this campaign and the inclement climate proved too much for the aged Emperor, and he died in Cappadocia in June, 276 AD.

MONETARY SYSTEM

Double Aureus (Bino)

Mints: Rome; Lugdunum; Arelate (?); Ticinum; Siscia; Serdica; Cyzicus; Antioch; Tripolis.

Obverse legends:

IMP C CL TACITVS AVG
IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG
IMP C M CLA TACITVS AVG
IMP C M CL TACITVS P F AVG.

AE Antoninianus with full Silver wash intact

DENOMINATIONS

AU Double Aureus (6.54 grams)
AU Aureus (4.61 grams)
AE Antoninianus

VABALATHUS

Antoninianus Vabalathus & Aurelian

271-272 AD

Vabalathus (sometimes called Athenodorus) was the son of the ambitious Zenobia. He became joint ruler of Palmyra with his mother following the assassination of Odenathus. Gallienus refused to grant him the titles which had been conferred upon Odenathus, and Claudius Gothicus maintained the same policy. Nonetheless, neither Gallienus nor Claudius were able to challenge the power of Zenobia in Palmyra.

The Emperor Aurelian, however, did grant Vabalathus the titles he sought. The coinage produced between 270 and late 271 AD proudly displayed the portraits of Aurelian and Vabalathis. In 271 AD, Vabalathis was proclaimed Augustus and Aurelian had little choice but to march against the rival Emperor and his mother.

In the battle that followed, the Palmyrene Empire fell to Aurelian. Zenobia and Vabalathus were taken as captives to Rome.

Monetary System

DENOMINATIONS

AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
AE Antoninianus