Postumus, Romano-Gallic Emperor, 260-269. Antoninianus (Silvered bronze, 20 mm, 3.70 g, 1 h), Cologne, late 268.
Obvers: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus to right.
Revers: IOVI VICTORI / C - A Jupiter standing left, head to right, hurling thunderbolt with his right hand and holding spear with his left. AGK (corr.) 40. Cunetio 2467. Elmer 570.
Very rare.
An attractive example of this interesting and popular issue.
This is one of those coins that give 'Gallic Empire' enthusiasts a racing heart: the reverse abbreviation C A is to be expanded to Colonia (Claudia Ara) Agrippinensium, the ancient name of what is nowadays Cologne in Germany. The city had been Postumus' main base and mint since his revolt in 260 (and before, since 257, of Gallienus), but its proximity to the ever-endangered frontier became increasingly problematic. This eventually lead to the opening of a second mint in the strategically better located town of Treveri (Trier) in the late 260s. Although Aurelian closed the Gallic mints after his reconquest of the northwestern provinces in 274, Treveri would rise to even greater importance in the 4th century when it became one of the capitals of the Roman Empire and harbored one of its principal mints. The front line city of Cologne, however, continued to decline in importance, with only distant memories of its short time of imperial glory between 257 and 274.
Ex Leu Numismatik, Web-Auction 06.12.2018
Collection : Gallic Empire/Empire Gaulois/Gallisches Sonderreich