Nomos 3

Aemilian. AD 253. Antoninianus (Silver, 3.99 g 12), Rome, c. April-August 253. IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to right. Rev. MARTI PROPVGT Mars standing to left, holding spear and shield. Cohen 25. RIC 6. Rare, a superb, glossy coin, very well struck, surely one of the finest Aemilians in existence. Virtually as struck.

From the East Side collection, Switzerland.

Aemilian was apparently from Roman Africa and made his career in the army. He was a commander on the Danube frontier in 253 when the Goths made yet another of their raids: he managed to severely defeat them and, as a result, was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Marching on Rome, Aemilian defeated and killed the co-emperors Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian and, as a result, entered Rome unopposed. He then produced a good deal of coinage to celebrate his accession, but soon had to face the onset of yet another general, Valerian, who was advancing on Rome from the North. As a result, Aemilian’s trooped mutinied near or at Spoleto (Spoletium), killed him and went over to Valerian.