MARIUS (269). Antoninianus. Colonia Agrippinensis.

Obv: IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG.
Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIA AVG.
Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond.

RIC² 491.

Marius was emperor in Gaul for a short period in AD 269. He is listed among the Thirty Tyrants in the Historia Augusta. It seems that Marius was elected by the soldiers who had killed his predecessor Postumus, because he had not allowed them to sack the newly conquered city of Magontiacum (Mainz). Marius allowed the soldiers to loot in Moguntiacum, then moved the capital to Augusta Treverorum (Trier) as evidence of mints active there, such as the one in Moguntiacum which was probably moved to Colonia. After a few months of reign he was assassinated, the reason is not known. According to a late tradition, he was a blacksmith who made a rapid career in the Roman army, becoming an officer. After the death of Postumus, he held power for perhaps two or three days before being killed by a sword of his own making. But the story is unreliable because from the number of coins he minted, he must have reigned for at least twelve months.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 3.32 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.