| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 146 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 2378 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Pacatian, usurper 248 – 249. Antoninianus, Viminacium 248-249, AR 23 mm, 4.94 g. IMP TI CL MAR PACATIANVS P F AV Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. PAX AETERNA Pax, draped and diademed, standing facing, head turned l., holding transverse sceptre in l. hand and olive branch in upraised r. C 6. RIC 5. Rare and in unusually fine condition for the issue. Light iridescent tone and good very fine The year 248 marked what Romans believed was the thousandth anniversary of their capital city – a milestone by any standard. While the games went on in Rome the empire was sinking ever deeper into danger from its enemies on the borders, and these concerns were taking their toll in the provinces. One particularly vulnerable region was the Balkans, which existed under the ever-present threat of barbarian invasion across the Danube. Finally, in the spring or early summer of 248 the legions on the Danube supported their commander Pacatian in a rebellion against the reigning emperor Philip I 'the Arab', who sent his prefect Decius to put down the uprising. The revolt lasted a few months at the most, and sometime between the spring of 248 and early 249 Pacatian was murdered by his own men. Though it had ended, Pacatian's revolt indirectly caused the downfall of Philip, for the soldiers brought their complaints forth to Decius, who in the meantime had won his men's respect by cleaning the region of Goths, Germans and Dacian Carpi who had invaded Roman territory during the rebellion. In about June, 249 the same soldiers who had sponsored Pacatian hailed Decius their emperor, and encouraged him to march on Rome. Philip brought a large army against him, but was defeated in September or October, 249, thus ending his bashful and ineffective reign of five years. Estimate: 6000 CHF |  |
