The Battle of Naïssus

406, Lot: 760. Estimate $150. Sold for $180. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Claudius II Gothicus. AD 268-270. Antoninianus (22mm, 2.49 g, 12h). Siscia mint, 2nd officina. 3rd emission, late AD 269. Radiate and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield / [VIRT]VS AV[G], Emperor on horseback right, wielding spear; –/–//[II]. Normanby –; RIC V –; RIC Online 717 (this coin). Fine, dark green patina, flan split. Extremely rare and possibly unique with this bust type. This coin the sole example currently cited by RIC Online.

From the Finn Johannessen Collection, purchased from Plamen Arsoff (Ancient Treasures), 26 May 2011.

According to RIC Online, this issue was struck in commemoration of the victory at Naïssus (modern Niš, Serbia). While very little is known about the details of the battle, it was a resounding victory for the Romans, with perhaps as many as 50,000 Goths either killed or taken captive.