167, Lot: 187. Estimate $100. Sold for $185. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Florian. AD 276. Antoninianus (21mm, 4.00 g). Serdica mint. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Providentia standing right, holding two standards, facing Sol standing left with right hand raised and holding globe; */G. Cf. RIC V 110 (officina not listed); cf. Venèra 2928 (obv. legend w/o P); cf. BN 1973-6 (all cuirassed). Good VF, brown patina.

From the C. G. Collection.

Florian was the brother of Tacitus, an elderly senator when he came to the throne, 75 years old, according to some sources. Despite his age and infirmitude, Tacitus and his brother immediately took to the field to repel attacks from German tribes and the Goths in Asia Minor, who originally had been hired to assist in Aurelian's campaign against Persia. The rebellion was put down, but the strain led to the death of the aged emperor. His brother would survive him by only a few months, being murdered by supporters of Probus.