Gallic Empire - Aureolus Ant.

April 2024

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Aureolus (ally of Postumus) struck at Milan in the name of Postumus, with whom he had a pact. These are distinguished from Postumus by a compact die engraving, short and (sometimes) thick planchets. Additionally, the reverse inscriptions end with AEQVIT, EQVIT, or EQVITVM, a reference to his famed success as a cavalry commander under Gallienus. Also, frequently the officinae (mint) number will appear as 'P' (Prima), 'S' (Secunda), or 'T' (Tertiae). Milan mint (no officinae on this one).
Aureolus was the commander of the cavalry corps of Gallienus (A.D. 253 - 68), the emperor who was fighting hard to preserve his dwidling territories. In 260 the western provinces had revolted against Gallienus and chose as their emperor a local governor, Postumus (260 -269). This chaotic situation worsened in 267 or 268 when the general Aureolus revolted, siding with Postumus in opposition to Gallienus. This threatened to destabilize the whole of Rome's European territories, and Gallienus quickly abandoned his campaign in Greece against the Goths and Heruli to lay siege to Milan, the regional capital in northern Italy that Aureolus had made his headquarters. Just when Gallienus was nearing success, he was murdered. Then, Aureolus was lured into surrendering to the new emperor, Claudius II (268 - 270), who executed him. Testifying to Aureolus' revolt are double-denarii (antoninianus) struck in Milan with the portrait and inscription of Postumus. Since Postumus never controlled northern Italy, these coins can be confidently ascribed to the brief revolt of Aureolus. These then are one of five coins struck in desperate times under rulers other than those depicted on the coin and in the legend. Scarce! D. Vagi # 2564.
For a brief History of the Gallic Empire in the Moneta Library, by Percy Webb: VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
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