Triton XXI, Lot: 240. Estimate $200. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Quintillus. AD 270. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 9.62 g, 1h). Dated RY 1 (AD 270). A K M A KΛ KVINTIΛΛOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right with wreath in its beak; palm frond behind, L A (date) across field. Köln 3050; Dattari (Savio) 5420 (this coin); K&G 105.2; Emmett 3906.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 241 (this coin). EF, reddish brown surfaces. Exceptional.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5420.

Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II, and had been placed in command by his brother at Aquileia to protect the western borders, while Claudius was in command of the effort against the Goths. In August or September of 270, when news reached Italy and Aquileia of Claudius’ death, Quintillus paid a donative to the army, curried the support of the Senate, and was then hailed emperor. His tenure was to be short-lived as the Illyrian troops proclaimed Aurelian, Claudius’ successor in the Gothic campaign in the Balkans, as emperor. In either October or November of 270, Quintillus committed suicide, after his own soldiers had abandoned his cause.