The Usurper Uranius Antoninus

258, Lot: 274. Estimate $500. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 9.41 g, 6h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Eagle standing facing, head and tail to left, with wings spread. Baldus 23; Prieur 1057. Fine, rough, darkly toned surfaces. Very 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.