CNG 85, Lot: 644. Estimate $2500. Sold for $3200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. Æ (33mm, 26.47 g, 12h). Dated SE 565 (AD 253/4). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Baetyl of El-Gabal, flanked by parasols, within hexastyle temple; crescent in pediment, ЄΞΦ (date) in exergue. Baldus 38-42 (OI/R5); R. Delbrueck, “Uranius of Emesa,” NC 1948, Series I, 2; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Hunterian 3174 (same dies); BMC 24 (same dies). Near VF, rough dark green-brown patina, minor encrustation. Rare.

Uranius Antoninus is unknown from the ancient literary sources, although Zosimus perhaps confuses this usurper with two usurpers he names as Uranius and Antoninus during the reign of Severus Alexander. He established his government at Emesa, probably in response to repeated Persian attacks rather than as a challenge to Rome. In any event, it appears he was finally subdued when Valerian marched to recover the East.