The Usurper Uranius Antoninus

Triton XXII, Lot: 645. Estimate $1500. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 10.12 g, 6h). AVTO K COVΛ CЄOVHPOC ANTωNINOC CЄ, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ΔHMAPX ЄΞOVCIAC, eagle standing facing, head right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; S C below wings, ЄMICA in exergue. Baldus –, unlisted dies (but cf. 2 for type); Prieur 1036 (this coin illustrated). VF, toned, light porosity. Very rare.

From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex M&M Numismatics I (7 December 1997), lot 260.

Uranius Antoninus is unknown from the ancient literary sources, although Zosimus perhaps confuses him with two usurpers he names as Uranius and Antoninus during the reign of Severus Alexander. Uranius Antoninus 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.