Two Antoniniani of the Usurper Regalianus

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 341. Estimate $12500.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $12500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Regalianus. Usurper, AD 260. AR Antoninianus (3.40 g, 6h). Carnuntum mint. IMP C P C REG[ALIAN]VS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ORIENS AVG[G], Sol standing facing, head left, raising right hand and holding whip. RIC V 7; MIR 43, 1713f (same dies as coin illustrated); RSC 4a. VF, usual overstriking, minor porosity. Extremely rare.

Following the capture of Valerian I by the Sasanians, a number of usurpers appeared throughout the empire, mostly accomplished generals who were acclaimed by their own troops. Although Regalianus’ exact history is unclear (and contradictory in the sources), he was likely a Roman general who had been sent to deal with the barbarians (probably the Marcomanni) who were conducting raids through Pannonia at the time. Some of the sources suggest that Regalianus was a supporter of the usurper Ingenuus, and continued Ingenuus’ revolt following the latter’s death. In any event, Regalianus’ reign was very short, and he was probably put to death by his own troops. All of Regalianus’ coinage has been attributed to a mint in Carnuntum, and was obviously struck in great haste, as evidenced by the crude style of the coins and the fact that they are all overstruck.